The Aksyon ng Demokratiko on Sunday, July 31 announced the demise of its chairman, former Tarlac Rep. Herminio S. Aquino at age of 72.
Aquino, granduncle of the late President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III, was the running mate of Aksyon Demokratiko founder late Sen. Raul Roco during the 2004 presidential elections. They lost to the tandem of now former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former vice president Noli De Castro.
Cause of death has not been disclosed by the political party.
Before the death of its chairman, Aksyon Demokratiko started preparations to actively participate in the 2022 local and national elections.
“It is with deepest sorrow that we inform the public the passing of Aksyon Demokratiko’s chairman, former Cong. Hermie Aquino,” the political party said in social media posts.
It added: “He was an inspiring servant leader, a great man and a true patriiot. He will be missed in these difficult times in our nation.” Aquino was married to Ma. Victoria Guanzon with whom he has four children.
The late lawmaker served as vice governor of Tarlac and served three consecutive terms as the province’s House of Representatives congressman for the third district He was the uncle of the late Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr.
A honor student of the Ateneo de Manila University where he took up Bachelor of Arts in Economics, “Hermie” was tapped after the 1986 People Power Revolution to join the government of then President Corazon C. Aquino.
He served as the executive secretary and minister of the Ministry of Human Settlements for a year before deciding to run for congressman.
Aquino rejoined the private sector after the 2004 elections but remained head of Aksyon Demokratiko since the passing of Roco in 2005.