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Former congressman and GMA-7 founding chairman Atty. Gilberto M. Duavit, Sr. passed away on Friday, December 14, 2018 at 84 years old. He is survived by his wife Vilma Roy Duavit, and his children GMA Network President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto Duavit Jr., Rizal Representative Michael John Duavit, and former GMA board member Judith Duavit Vasquez.

Gilberto M. Duavit, Sr.

Duavit served as the network's chairman from 1974 to 1976 and was a former Director of the company in 1977. He was also one of the pillars behind the rebirth of Republic Broadcasting System (RBS)-TV Channel 7 in the 1970s.

He was also elected as member of the 9th, 10th, and 11th Congresses, representing the 1st District of Rizal. During his stint, he served as Senior Assistant Minority Floor Leader (10th Congress) and Chairman of the House Committee of Appropriations (11th Congress) after becoming a member of the same House Committee (9th and 10th Congress). He likewise served as a member of various House Committees including Constitutional Amendments, Education and Culture, Housing and Urban Development, Public Works and Highways, and Banks and Financial Intermediaries.

Aside from GMA, he was also Chairman/Director of various firms and companies, including Permastress Industries, Inc., Unistress Concrete Systems, Inc., Sagittarius Condominium Corporation, and Mar Fishing Company, Inc.

Atty. Duavit's remains will be at Heritage Park in Taguig City until Sunday and will be open for public viewing starting Saturday. They will be brought to Binangonan, Rizal, on Tuesday.