The Office of the Public and Cultural Diplomacy (OPCD) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has conveyed its “deepest sympathy” to the friends and family of seasoned broadcast journalist Carmelo "Melo" Acuña who succumbed to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) Friday morning.

Acuña was one of the longest-serving and well-respected members of the DFA Press Corps and host of the regular media forum Tapatan sa Aristocrat.
“Mr. Acuña was an active member of the DFA Press Corps, a veteran broadcast journalist and beat reporter who always upheld the highest standards of journalism through his professionalism,” the OPCD said in a statement
“The DFA-OPCD will miss his partnership and support throughout the years, as well as his warmth and integrity,” the DFA’s communications office added.
Meanwhile, labor group coalition Nagkakaisa said they are saddened to learn about the passing of Acuña and expressed their gratitude to the veteran journalist for helping them in mainstream labor issues and advance the cause of unions and the rights of workers in the country.
“He is a friend of labor unions and the workers. He walked with us and workers shared his table. The Nagkakaisa leaders were invited to share coffee, breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner with him. He always shared his popular Tapatan sa Aristocrat with labor on Mondays and other fora on other days,” the labor group said in a statement.