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FVR dies, aged 94

31 July 2022

 

President Fidel V. Ramos :  Mar 18, 1928 - July 31, 2022 

Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, known to many as FVR, died at the age of 94 on Sunday, Jul 31.

Members of his family confirmed his death but gave no further details.

However, a longtime military aide said the late president had been in and out of the hospital due to a heart condition and had suffered dementia. He passed away at the Makati Medical Centre in the company of relatives.

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The Ramos family said in a statement, “We thank you all for respecting our privacy, as the family takes some time to grieve together…We will announce wake and funeral arrangements in the near future.”

Ramos was the Philippines’ 12th president, having served from 1992 to 1998. Before being elected to the top post, he was also chief of the Philippine Constabulary and chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He gained prominence for helping topple former dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr., his second-degree cousin, from his 20-year rule, in 1986.

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Ramos was narrowly elected president six years later, replacing Corazon Aquino who took over from Marcos after the People Power revolt.

Though he won less than 23 percent of the vote, Ramos quickly gained widespread public approval, garnering 66 percent support during his incumbency. His presidency is still remembered for bringing peace, stability and growth to the country.

Marcos’ son, the Incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., quickly issued a statement of sympathy to the Ramos family.

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"Our family shares the Filipino people's grief on this sad day. We did not only lose a good leader but also a member of the family," Marcos, Jr. said.

"The legacy of his presidency will always be cherished and will be forever enshrined in the hearts of our grateful nation."

FVR speaking to HK reporters before heading on to China, where he was a frequent visitor

Before becoming the head of the national police force during Marcos Sr.’s rule, Ramos was a decorated war hero, having fought in wars in Korea and Vietnam.

Ramos was born on March 18, 1928, in Lingayen, Pangasinan, the son of a lawmaker and diplomat and a teacher. He graduated from the US Military Academy in West Point in 1950 and earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois the following year.

According to the Ramos Foundation, he earned two more master’s degrees afterwards: in national security from the National Defense College in 1969; and in business administration from Ateneo de Manila University in 1980.

Through all these, he held every rank in the Philippine army until he became commander-in-chief in 1992.

His six-year administration is well remembered for its policy of opening the country’s economy to foreign investment through deregulation and liberalization, and for breaking up monopolies in the transportation and communications sectors.

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Through special powers granted to him by Congress, he rehabilitated the energy sector, ending frequent and hours-long power outages in the country. Journalists also credit him for keeping an open line to them and being tolerant of public criticism.

As a result, the economy surged and poverty rates fell from 39 percent to 31 percent.

While he eventually became a hero to many for defecting from Marcos Sr’s government, others would not forget his role in enforcing iron-fist rule during the dark years of martial law under the dictatorship.

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Ramos, the country’s only Protestant president, was well known for being indefatigable, going on daily jogs and playing golf regularly until he was well over 80 years old.

But what most people would remember him for was his habit of going about his daily activities - while chomping on cigars he never lit.

Ramos is survived by his wife Ming and their four daughters. Their second child, also a daughter, passed away in 2011.


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