PGMA pays last respects to Secretary Cerge Remonde
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo paid her last respects to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde at the Heritage Park Memorial Chapel in Taguig City today at around 4:30 a.m.
Upon arrival at the chapel, the President, clad in white shirt and pants, embraced Mrs. Marit Stinus Remonde. After viewing the press secretary’s remains, she sat and chatted with the wife. She stayed at the wake for 30 minutes.
One of the longest serving officials in the current administration, Remonde died Tuesday shortly before noon. He was found unconscious by aides at home in Bel-Air,
In an interview, the President said she lost not only a Cabinet secretary but also a close family friend.
Remonde was to mark his first anniversary as press secretary on Feb. 1. He took over the post from Secretary Jesus Dureza last year.
Members of the Malacanang Press Corps fondly remember Remonde as “a cool cat”, one who could answer a withering barrage of tough questions with candidness and humor.
The late press secretary’s remains will be brought to Heroes Hall in Malacañang on Thursday for necrological services. It will be flown to
Another RP peacekeeper found dead in Haiti
Another Filipino soldier serving as peacekeeper for the United Nations was found dead underneath the rubbles of the quake-fallen
This brings to three the number of Filipinos who died in last week's devastating intensity 7 earthquake that has claimed the lives of thousands others.
AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner identified the latest Filipino fatality as Sgt. Eustacio Bermudez, who is serving as clerk for the UN mission at the second floor of the hotel.
Brawner said the body of Bermudez was plucked from the collapsed hotel around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday by a multinational team that was tasked to conduct search, rescue and retrieval operations.
On Tuesday morning, the body of Navy Data Processor 3 Pearly Panangui was found from the building. On Monday, the body of UN civilian staff Jerome Yap was also found at the building.
With the retrieval of the body of Bermudez, the number of missing Filipinos in
They are Grace Fabian and Geraldin Lalican, who were trapped at the Caribbean Supermarket where they worked.
Filipino rescuers are helping in the rescue or retrieval of the two.
The late Secretary Remonde was declared dead 11:51 a.m. Tuesday at the
The publisher of Metropost and local NBN chief Alex Pal said “Cerge” as he was fondly known to many was a very good and vital asset in the Arroyo administration. He was a friend to all journalists and he did a very good job as press secretary and in his previous other assignments.
Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP)-Negros Oriental chapter president Roy Bustillo said Remonde’s death is a big loss to the industry as he is called the Big Bro of the KBP and the media.
“A very approachable and humble secretary. He is the best press secretary so far in the country. Journalists in the
“A big loss not just to government but to the media as well. He was somebody we in the media and Visayans should be proud of,” said Dumaguete Bureau Chief of the Philippines News Agency, Mary Judaline Flores-Partlow.
Remonde traced his roots to Argao in nearby
A press statement released by the Dumaguete Press Club Inc. through the chairman emiritus and owner/publisher of Negros Chronicle and DYEM-FM Ely Dejaresco said the passing of Press Sec. Remonde, a true blue Cebuano, has never come so untimely as when he left at a time when he was most needed not only by the President but by the nation. He died with his boots on, during the thick of the election season.
Remonde was just seen in full attendance to Sunday’s Sinulog de Cebu. Most mediamen in Cebu were surprised to see Remonde in almost all Sinulog activities in
Known as the golden boy of Malacañang, Press Sec. Remonde was the trusted media propagator of Malacañang who precisely would know how and when to answer issues, which are raised for or against the administration.
He was the dream of any president as press secretary because Remonde was himself a practicing journalist and broadcaster who was easily able to blend into the media psyche.
His last great stand for the administration was when he stepped out of the gates of Malacañang to meet journalists who were protesting the Maguindanao massacre. Remonde was there both to defend the administration and empathized with the cause of media, the Dumaguete Press Club statement said.
He was long time president and chairman of the national KBP and that was how he was able to gain foothold and goodwill from the print and broadcast industry.
Admittedly, media is the hardest industry to organize. But for almost one decade as KBP chairman, Remonde was able to stand tall in upholding the tenets of a true broadcaster and journalist, the statement further said.
Remonde has virtually become an instant icon in the government and private media, both in upholding as well as maintaining a balanced press secretariat and even before as a private broadcaster and labor-oriented radio commentator who has given the journalism profession a mighty booster in gaining a high sense of moral duty and dedication to the service of the people, the statement added.
Cerge will be long remembered for his impressive achievements in journalism and gov’t — Chinese ambassador
The ambassadors of
Remonde, 51, died on Tuesday morning of an apparent heart failure. He is survived by his Netherlands-born wife, Marit Stinus, who writes a column for a Manila-based daily.
“Cerge Remonde was a respected journalist, a dedicated public servant, and a personal friend,” said US Ambassador Kristie Kenney.
“I am honored to have known him and worked with him. On behalf of myself and the Embassy, I offer heartfelt condolences to Cerge’s colleagues, family members and loved ones,” she said.
”In behalf of the Chinese embassy and in my own name, I wish to convey to Your Honorable and, through you, to Her Excellency, President Arroyo and the Philippine Government our deepest sympathy,” Liu said in his letter addressed to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
Liu said Remonde’s death “is not only an enormous loss to all those who suffer and grieve, but to your great country.”
”Cerge will be long remembered for his impressive achievements in journalism and government, and his remarkable abilities and manifold talents that have ensured his professional accomplishments,” wrote Liu who was a spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry before his posting in Manila in March.
A month after Liu's posting as ambassador, Remonde himself was appointed by Mrs. Arroyo to head the Office of the Press Secretary.
”Cerge represents the best of the President’s aides and exemplifies the finest in public service,” Liu said. “Our thoughts are with the bereaved family members as they deal with agony and grief. We pray that they will be comforted by fond memories with Cerge and encouraged by his noble legacy.”
On her part, Kenney said (Cerge and Marit) are “long-time friends of the US Embassy,” since the couple have both participated in exchange programs promoting international understanding and closer bilateral ties.”
A mass will be said at 7:00 tonight at the
Interment is on January 25 in the
PSALM sets forum on privatization of Ilijan IPPA
The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation will conduct a forum for the appointment of the Independent Power Producer Administrator (IPPA) for the contracted capacity of the 1200-megawatt Ilijan Combined Cycle Power Plant on Tuesday, 26 January 2010, at the PSALM Filipinas Hall, 6th Floor Bankmer Bldg.,
Pablo Anido, PSALM’s team leader for the IPPA privatization, explained that the objective of the forum is to present to prospective bidders and investors the technical details and operational experience regarding the plant, and the commercial approach and legal structure that PSALM is considering for the tendering of the IPPA.
“We expect that inputs from interested parties will help ensure the successful selection of an IPP administrator for Ilijan,” Mr. Anido said.
Due to limitations of the venue, interested parties must register online at the PSALM website, www.psalm.gov.ph, to reserve a seat at the forum. PSALM will advise registrants of the confirmation of their registration.
