Philippine Press Secretary Remonde dies

Manila: Philippine Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, a staunch defender of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, has died following a heart attack at age 51.

Press Undersecretary Gary Olivar said Remonde was found unconscious on Tuesday in the bathroom of his home and was rushed to the Makati Medical Center where doctors failed to revive him.

Hospital spokesman Dr. Eric Nubla said that Remonde had no pulse and heart beat when he was brought in.

Remonde was scheduled to give a press briefing at the Malacañang Palace at 11am on Tuesday.

Remonde was a radio commentator and head of the Philippine broadcasters association before joining the Arroyo government as press undersecretary in 2001.

He headed the presidential management staff before his appointment as press secretary early last year. He was also the head of the Government Mass Media Group, which oversees state radio and television stations and news agency.

"Indeed this is a very big loss," said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. "He is a very, very close confidant of the president — that is how important his job was."

Ermita said Remonde's remains will be brought to the Heritage Memorial Park. No further details were released about the wake, funeral and burial.

Remonde’s last post on his Facebook profile was a prayer to be "released from fear and worry."

The shoutout, which was posted at 6:51pm on Monday, reads as follows:

"Lord, thank You for the infinite love that meets our every need and provides all the beautiful and wonderful things we experience in life. Release our hearts and minds from fear and worry. Fill us with Your peace as we learn to fully trust in your providence. Help us to do all that we are capable of and the rest we entrust unto You. Amen."

United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney expressed her condolences and described Remonde in a post on her Facebook page as “a very decent man who always had a kind word and a smile. A warm personality who always made time for others".

Herman Bastaño, president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), where Remonde had served as chairman, issued the following statement:

"KBP mourns with deep sorrow the demise of Secretary Remonde, who had distinguished himself as the only KBP chair who had served for six consecutive terms. His death is not only a big loss to the broadcast industry but to the country whom he has really served with utmost dedication.”

Radio personality Pablito "Bobby" Nalzaro of RGMA-7 Visayas described Remonde as a "mentor, a brother, and a compadre rolled into one."

Nalzaro said the last time he saw Remonde was last Sunday, during the Sinulog festival in Cebu, where Remonde hails from. He said Remonde told him that he was planning to go back to mainstream media either in Manila or Cebu after the Arroyo administration steps down in June.

In November 30 last year, Remonde displayed sportsmanship when he showed up at an anti-government rally denouncing the Maguindanao massacre.

Video footage of the incident showed the late press secretary smiling amid boos and insults from protesters.

Remonde personally reached out to the protesters to reassure them that the government is working to bring justice to victims of the massacre.