Former President Fidel Valdez Ramos (fondly called FVR) died at 94 from complications due to COVID 19.
Ramos’ death was announced by People’s Television Network sans details and a similar report by radio DZRH mentioned complications from COVID-19. The STAR also reported Ramos' death in a tweet but did not give details.
The former president's family has yet to issue a statement. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information comes.
Ramos was chairman emeritus of the Lakas-CMD, the party he helped found in 1991 and that has seen a resurgence after the May elections.
Born in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Ramos turned 94 in March. An online presidential library and a book about key events in his presidency from 1992-1998 were launched to mark his birth anniversary.
Ramos missed the inaugural and State of the Nation address of President Marcos Jr., neither was his name even mentioned at the SONA.
During the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, Ramos was hailed as a hero by many Filipinos for his decision to break away from the administration of President Marcos and pledge allegiance and loyalty to the newly established government of President Corazon Aquino.
He succeeded Corazon Aquino, whom he served as military chief and then as defense secretary, in 1992. He was a key figure in the EDSA People Power Revolution, along with Juan Ponce Enrile, now the presidential legal counsel of Marcos Jr.
Ramos attended the US Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1950. He was a member of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea and saw combat during the Korean War with the Army's 20th Battalion Combat Team.
He was also a civil engineer by profession and earned a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1951.
The former president also earned a master’s degree in National Security Administration from National Defense College of the Philippines in 1969 and a master's in Business Administration from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1980.
The former president released a book titled "Silver Linings: The Continuing Saga of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution" in February 2019.