Supreme Court mourns passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos

The Supreme Court on Monday joined the nation in mourning the passing of former president Fidel V. Ramos.

In a statement, the SC said the chief justice and associate justices led the entire judiciary in mourning Ramos' death.

"To the family of President Ramos, we offer our sincerest condolences," the SC said.

The High Court called Ramos a “true defender of freedom and democracy”.

“(He) 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,” they add.

The SC said Ramos, "a proponent of justice and judicial reform," would consistently pledge his support to the Judiciary’s campaign for modernization and judicial excellence. 

“His commitment to justice helped strengthen the Judiciary,” the statement said.

Alunan

Meanwhile, former Interior secretary Rafael Alunan III also mourned the passing of Ramos, who he considered as his "second father."

"FVR was larger than life which was eclectic to say the least, not only during his years in the military and public office but more so after he officially retired," he said in a statement.

Alunan headed the Department of the Interior and Local Government from 1992 to 1995.

"We grieve your loss, Mr. President, and are one with Mrs Ramos and your immediately family (to include your close-in aides and the men and women of RPDEV) May the Force welcome you Home, Sir!" he said.

The Ramos family announced the former president’s passing on Sunday at the Makati Medical Center at the age of 94. His cause of death was not disclosed. 

To honor the former president's memory and recognize his contributions to the nation, the SC said the Philippine flag will be flown at half-mast in all courthouses.

Ramos served as the Philippines' 12th president from 1992 to 1998.

He succeeded President Corazon Aquino, for whom he served as chief of staff of the Armed Forces and then Defense secretary.

A career military officer, Ramos was appointed chief of the Philippine Constabulary during the Martial Law years.

In February 1986, Ramos joined then-Defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile and hundreds of thousands of protesters gathering on EDSA against the Marcos administration for the People Power Revolution. —Alzel Laguardia/KG/KBK, GMA News