Former Press Secretary Tomas "Buddy" Gomez III passed away while on a spiritual pilgrimage in Spain, according to a family member.
Gomez, a former Cabinet official during the administration of then President Corazon Aquino, died on Thursday at the age of 86. His passing was announced by his daughter Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commissioner Karen Gomez Dumpit in a Facebook post.
"With deep sorrow in our hearts, we announce the passing of TOMAS 'Buddy' GOMEZ III, who left us on July 22, 2021 while doing the Camino to Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain," Dumpit said.
"Please join us in praying for the eternal repose of his soul. May he rest in God's embrace," she said.
Before working as Press Secretary, Gomez was appointed by then President Aquino as Philippine Consul General in Hawaii. He later served as president of state-owned IBC-13 during the administration of then President Fidel V. Ramos.
Former Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. remembered Gomez as a "jovial" colleague in the Aquino Cabinet as well as "happy warrior" after the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
Coloma served as head of the Presidential Management Staff and Cabinet Secretary during the Aquino administration.
"Tomas 'Buddy' Gomez III was a jovial co-worker in President Corazon Aquino's administration. He always lent his cheerful and jovial presence in Palace meetings and events. As Press Secretary, he was a happy warrior who espoused the rekindling of press freedom in the post-EDSA era," Coloma said.