Upon arrival at the chapel, the President, clad in white shirt and pants, embraced Mrs. Marit Stinus Remonde. After viewing the press secretary’s remains, she sat and chatted with the wife. She stayed at the wake for 30 minutes.

One of the longest serving officials in the current administration, Remonde died Tuesday shortly before noon. He was found unconscious by aides at home in Bel-Air, Makati City, a victim of heart attack. He was brought to the nearby Makati Medical Center, but efforts to revive him proved futile.

In an interview, the President said she lost not only a Cabinet secretary but also a close family friend.

Remonde was to mark his first anniversary as press secretary on Feb. 1. He took over the post from Secretary Jesus Dureza last year.

Members of the Malacanang Press Corps fondly remember Remonde as “a cool cat”, one who could answer a withering barrage of tough questions with candidness and humor.

The late press secretary’s remains will be brought to Heroes Hall in Malacañang on Thursday for necrological services. It will be flown to Cebu on Friday and interred in the family plot in Argao, his hometown, the next day (PIA- Pagadian City)

Last update: 25-01-2010 02:50