Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon paid tribute to the late former President Fidel V. Ramos, who passed away on July 31. He was 94.
Ramos, who served as Philippine president from 1992 to 1998, was instrumental in converting the status of Muntinlupa from a municipality to a highly urbanized city.
On March 1, 1995, Ramos signed Republic Act 7926 or An Act Converting the Municipality of Muntinlupa into a Highly Urbanized City to be known as the City of Muntinlupa, also known as the Charter of the City of Muntinlupa.
“Together with many of my fellow Muntinlupeños, we mourn the passing of a great Filipino statesman, Fidel Valdez Ramos. A former President, Secretary of National Defense and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he has led Filipinos in those different capacities with the highest degree of patriotism, integrity and competence,” said Biazon.
He added, “A native of son of Pangasinan, he chose to live the greater part of his life in Muntinlupa, therefore he is considered a Muntinlupeño, one who should be emulated by our kababayans.”
“While we are saddened by this loss, we also celebrate the life of service he gave to Filipinos. We pray for the eternal repose of his soul,” added Biazon.
In a Facebook post, the Muntinlupa City government said, “Nakikiramay ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Muntinlupa sa pamilya ni dating pangulong Fidel V. Ramos na pumanaw ngayong araw, Hulyo 31. (The Muntinlupa City government condoles with the family of former President Fidel V. Ramos who passed away today, July 31).”
It added, “Malaki ang naging kontribusyon ng dating pangulo sa pagiging lungsod ng Muntinlupa (The former president contributed greatly in the cityhood of Muntinlupa),” citing RA 7926.
Ramos was a veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War. He became the secretary of the Department of National Defense from 1988 to 1991, and chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from 1986 to 1988. He was one of the military leaders of the 1986 EDSA Revolution.
Ramos was born on March 18, 1928 in Lingayen, Pangasinan.