Former PUP president Nemesio Prudente dies

(Update) MANILA, Philippines - Former Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) president Nemesio "Doc" Prudente died before dawn of Friday, his former associates said. Rogelio Ordoñez, PUP professor and Prudente's close friend, told GMANews.TV in a phone interview that he learned of the news through Prudente's nephew, Dante. Ordoñez said Prudente died at 1:01 a.m. while confined at the De La Salle University Medical Center in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Dante said his uncle underwent a successful operation in his prostate two weeks ago but later developed an allergic reaction and had to return to the hospital. Ordoñez also quoted Dante as saying that Prudente died due to a mild cardiac arrest with complications in the kidney. Prudente's remains will be cremated Saturday and on Wednesday next week, the ashes would then be brought for memorial services to the Union Theological Seminary in Dasmariñas at 7:30 p.m. Prudente is survived by his wife Ruth and daughter Felisse, who are both based in the United States. Ruth returned to the Philippines last year to attend to her ailing husband. GMANews.TV tried, but failed to reach Dante through his mobile phone. Divine Pasumban, head of the PUP Public Information Office, said Prudente's family still refuses to speak to media. "They are very private kasi about it muna." "Nakalulungkot na nawala ang isang kilalang progressive, intellectual, and nationalistic educator," Ordoñez said. "I hope his ideas will be propagated by others. He spent his whole life in the education of the poor," he added. Educator Prudente, a political prisoner during the Martial Law years, was a pillar of the education sector. He first served as Philippine College of Commerce (PCC) president from 1962 to 1972. The PCC was renamed Polytechnic University of the Philippines or PUP. He was arrested twice during the regime of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos due to allegations that he was connected to the communist movement. After the ouster of Marcos, Prudente was released by President Corazon Aquino from prison in 1986 and was reinstalled as PUP president. He held on to the post until his retirement in 1992 when he was 65 years old. On Nov. 11, 1987, Prudente survived an ambush in Manila's Sta. Mesa district. - GMANews.TV