Ramos HONORING THE LATE FORMER PRESIDENT FIDEL V. RAMOS: Members of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) bring down the Philippine Flag at the Senate at half-mast Monday, August 1, 2022. The Senate joins the country in mourning the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos. He was 94. Photo courtesy of Senate PRIB (Voltaire F. Domingo)

Nation mourns passing of FVR

August 2, 2022 Cristina Lee-Pisco 510 views

DFA, int’l community offer condolences

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) joined the Filipino nation in mourning the passing of the “foreign policy president”, former President Fidel Valdez Ramos (FVR).

This developed as the international community expressed its “deepest sympathies” to the Filipinos and the family of the former President.

“FVR was a dedicated statesman & a friend of the [European Union] under whose term the [EU-PH] relations deepened,” the European Union (EU) tweeted.

The US Embassy said, “as a longtime friend and partner of the US, his contributions to the US-Philippines bilateral relations and advancing our shared goals of peace and democracy will always be remembered.”

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian was saddened about Ramos’ passing and extended condolences to the family of the former president.

“Former President Fidel Valdez Ramos was well known in China for his friendship and contribution to the bilateral relationship between our two countries. He was one of the first to propose the establishment of ‘Asian Forum’ in 1998, which incubated the Boao Forum for Asia in 2001.”

As former chair of the Boao Forum for Asia, he played an indispensable role in the development of the forum, Huang said.

He added, “the Chinese Embassy is deeply grieved by the loss of an old friend. He will be missed by all of us.”

The French Embassy tweeted it “joins the Philippines in mourning the death of former President Fidel V. Ramos – a champion of democracy.”

Ramos, the Embassy said, was an awardee of the prestigious French Legion of Honor, the Grand Cross.

Japan was also saddened by the loss of “good old friend” as it extended its sincere condolences the Filipinos and their family and friends.

Japan said Ramos’ strong leadership and great contribution to the Japan-Philippines relationship will never be forgotten.

Ramos was widely considered a “foreign policy” president for shaping the evolution of the DFA by instituting economic diplomacy and the protection of overseas Filipinos as pillars of Philippine foreign policy.

His visits to foreign countries during his six-year term focused on the post-Cold War opportunities offered in multilateral and economic diplomacy and raised the profile of the Philippines in the region and globally.

Another key legacy of the Ramos administration is “The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act”, which decreed higher standards of protection and the promotion of the welfare of migrant Filipino workers, their families, and distressed Filipinos abroad.

The son of former Foreign Secretary Narciso R. Ramos, brother of two diplomats, and a member of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea, President Ramos demonstrated a keen understanding of government service and a strong work ethic that inspired generations of public servants.

The DFA said, “…will always be grateful for his visionary leadership and contributions to Philippine foreign policy.”

‘National flag in PH courts at half-mast for FVR’

The Philippine flag will be flown at half-mast in all courthouses nationwide as a sign of respect to former president Fidel V. Ramos who passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at 94.

The Supreme Court (SC) said Ramos will be remembered in the judiciary as a proponent of justice and judicial reform.

Ramos, according to an SC statement, helped the judiciary during his incumbency in its campaign for modernization and judicial excellence.

“The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court lead the entire Judiciary in mourning the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos.”

“President Ramos was a true defender of freedom and democracy who had shown courage and loyalty to the country with his years in public service, including as a veteran of significant military campaigns. He was also a visionary President, who set out important social and economic reforms which Filipinos enjoy even up to this time,” the SC said. By Cristina Lee-Pisco and Hector Lawas

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