“A real patriot.”
This was how Vice President Sara Duterte remembered former president Fidel V. Ramos who passed away at age 94 as confirmed by Malacañang on Sunday, July 31.
“I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved family of former President Fidel V. Ramos,” the Vice President said in a statement.
“He was a real patriot — one who encouraged men and women in uniform to value their integrity as public servants,” she added.
The country’s second highest official lauded Ramos’ legacy as a public servant, particularly for brokering peace in Mindanao in 1996 by signing the peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
READ: Farewell, FVR
“FVR aggressively championed Filipino competitiveness in the global arena and through his socio-economic agenda called ‘Philippines 2000’, liberalized the country’s economy — resulting in the significant improvements in the average income of Filipino workers,” she said.
“May we find inspiration from FVR’s life and the immensity of the legacy that he built out of his love of country and fellow Filipinos,” Duterte added.
Ramos was president from 1992 to 1998, and was largely credited for helping restore democracy during the crucial days of the People Power Revolt in 1986 and for leading the Philippine economy to progress during the Asian financial crisis.