Fidel V. Ramos, the country’s 12th president who implemented comprehensive economic reforms, passed away at the age of 94 on Sunday.
Ramos’ death last Sunday was confirmed by his family through a brief statement. They did not indicate the cause of his death.
“We thank you all for respecting our privacy, as the family takes some time to grieve together. We will announce the wake and funeral arrangements in the near future,” the statement read.
Colorful legacy
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. was among those who immediately condoled with the loved ones of Ramos.
“Our family shares the Filipino’s grief on this sad day. We did not only lose a good leader, but also a member of the family,” Marcos said in a statement posted on his Facebook account.
Ramos is Marcos’ distant uncle since the former chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was the second cousin of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
Marcos remembered Ramos for his military career and stint in the Executive branch of the government.
‘The legacy of his presidency will always be cherished and will be forever enshrined in the hearts of our grateful nation,” he said.
This was reiterated by Press Secretary Beatrix Cruz-Angeles, who said Ramos will be missed for his public service.
“He leaves behind a colorful legacy and a secure place in history for his participation in the great change of our country, both as a military officer and chief executive,” Angeles said in a brief statement last Sunday.
Ramos, 94, became the 12th president of the country from 1992 to 1998. Prior to getting elected as president, he also served as a Cabinet member in previous administrations.
His administration was marked by economic reforms including the passage of the Republic Act 8479 or the Oil Deregulation Act just before he ended his term and the country’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995.
He is also known for his role in the EDSA People Power Revolution together with Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.
Contributions
Among those who lamented Ramos’ passing is Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares, who called the former president a “steadfast leader and a democracy icon.”
“His resolute vision paved the way for real economic gains that brought the Philippines to a rising tiger status,” Poe said.
Senator Maria Lourdes Binay-Angeles also recognized the economic policies of the former president, whom she referred to by his popular acronym, FVR.
She also recognized his efforts to broker a peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
“FVR oversaw massive economic gains for the country that were translated to programs for the welfare of the people. He also successfully brokered peace with rebel groups, extending the hand of peace with programs that sought to address the roots of discontent,” Binay-Angeles said.
Senator Joel J. Villanueva said Ramos will always be remembered for his efforts to expand the economy as well as his iconic thumbs up sign.
“President FVR will always be remembered for leading the nation into the new millennium. His dream of turning the country into a ‘Tiger Economy’ will always stay alive in the hearts of every Filipino,” Villanueva said.
The chief of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) described the late President Fidel Ramos as a “strong and decisive leader” under whose administration government budgeting played a role in the country’s economic growth.
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman expressed her condolences to the family and friends of the former President, who she said was a “diligent servant who worked hard for the upliftment of the Filipino people.”
“President Ramos served as the 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. It was during his administration that the Philippines, under his vision ‘Philippines 2000’, became the ‘tiger cub economy in Asia,’ as he was widely credited for spearheading economic reforms in the country,” Pangandaman said.
‘Steady Eddie’
Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said FVR is a tough act to follow and that his legacy will never be forgotten.
“We, in the Lakas-CMD, are saddened to learn of the passing of our Chairman Emeritus, former President Fidel Valdez Ramos,” said Romualdez.
“We all grieve because we lost a great leader and a dear friend. One who is a pillar of strength, and an inspiration to all. President Ramos will be remembered as one of the great Filipino leaders that took good governance to heart,” he added.
His experience as a military general and his innate charm set the blueprint for what Philippine leaders should be: tough when necessary, but with a caring heart for the common Filipino, added Romualdez.
Dasmarinas Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr. said the country lost a great leader.
“Coalition-building is the heart of his governance. My deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of former President Fidel V. Ramos,” he said.
House Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda called Ramos a “mentor and a model for my life in public service.”
“FVR was possibly first President who was a serious policy wonk. He was someone who understood the complex workings of the economy in an instinctive manner. In terms of policy, he was the most consistent and methodical. He knew what he wanted to do, and he tried to do it,” Salceda said.
“Without FVR, we would not have been able to solidify the bedrock of investor confidence that has since allowed the country to grow its economy for decades. Ramos equaled economic reform. The Ramos brand was a brand of seriousness in governance. Business knew he meant business,” Salceda added.
Salceda said the country would have had a much weaker recovery from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis if not for FVR’s reforms, primarily to set our country’s finances right.
“When FVR talked of nation-building, and he talked a great deal about it, you knew it wasn’t hollow ostentatious talk. He meant what he was saying, and you took him seriously,” he sakd.
Salceda said that Ramos was his “model for unceasing restlessness in public service and public life. In office, he was the first to arise and get to work, and was often also the last to leave. Even after retirement, he kept his sharpness of wit and wisdom intact.”
Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto said President Ramos was brave in war, industrious in work, visionary in public service, and helpful to his fellowmen.
“He was the Steady Eddie who led by infectious and inspiring example, from the trenches of Korea, to the corridors of Malacanang,” he said. “Whether in the battlefield or in the bureaucracy, he was daring in deeds and bold in thinking.”
According to Recto, Ramos was driven by this Protestant-Ilocano-West Point work ethic which ingrained in him the habit of rising before dawn and toiling ‘til midnight.
In all the offices he held, he was the first man in and the last man out of the office.
Ramos became president in 1992 when the country was reeling from the devastation of Pinatubo and the Baguio earthquake, when protected interests crushed competition and denigrated public service, when civil strife set back growth.
“FVR ended the people’s misery by dismantling the protections which infantilized industries, injected efficiency by bringing in competition, and levelled the playing field.”
Image credits: AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File