Palace mourns passing of Tribune founder Ninez Cacho-Olivares

Malacañang on Saturday expressed condolences to the family of the late Ninez Cacho-Olivares, founder and editor-in-chief of Daily Tribune.

Olivares passed away on Friday at the age of 78 due to lingering illness.

"The Office of the President is deeply saddened upon learning of the passing of Ms. Ninez Cacho-Olivares at 78 yesterday, January 3, due to a lingering illness," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

"The Palace expresses its deep condolences and commiserates with the family of Ms. Olivares, particularly her children Peter, Bambina, Michael and Pixie, her children-in-law, Tweety Quintero, Xandra Barretto and Jay Fonacier, and her grandchildren Carlo, Iñigo, Isabella and Enrique Olivares, Samantha and Jessica Wise, Julio Olivares and Noelle Fonacier, as well as her friends, colleagues and loved ones," he said.

"Ms. Olivares was the founder, former publisher and editor-in-chief of The Daily Tribune whose hard-hitting publication is known to deliver news without fear or favor. She was for more than twenty years a feature writer and a political commentator in various Manila broadsheets like the Bulletin Today, Philippine  Daily Inquirer, Business Day and  Business World. She was known for her biting commentaries and insightful analyses laced with wit and elegant sarcasm on  government incompetence and corruption that provided probing and intellectual insights to her readers," Panelo added.

"We have lost a welcome hell of a journalist that struck fear in the hearts of corrupt bureaucrats and politicians with pretended nationalism as well as pseudo intellectuals who suffocate the air with their nonsense," he said.

"Olivares' moving passion for reportage is legendary," the presidential spokesperson added, saying she continued to put the Daily Tribune to bed each day despite her illness.

Panelo said Olivares "was one of the leading figures who carried the torch for freedom of expression" during the martial law regime.

"She bravely joined the parliament of the streets against the Marcos presidency. The threat of arrest and detention could not deter her from pursuing her advocacy of freedom of the press and good government," he said.

"She was a shining example of a journalist who wrote with truth accompanying the movement of her pen. Her words came across as a scalpel that cuts the lies and corruption of political scoundrels," Panelo added.

"May the perpetual light shine upon her, and may her soul, through the mercy of God, rest in eternal peace," he said.

'Strength in spirit and character'

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar likewise conveyed his office's condolences to the family.

"Her strength in spirit and her strength in character was seen in how she pursued the continuance of her publication. Her fearlessness in sharing her socio-political opinions on public matters is something that her colleagues and friends will continue to remember and admire," Andanar said.

"We are with her family in this time of grief. Her passing is a loss to the industry and to those who knew her personally," he added. —KG, GMA News