MALACAÑANG on Friday expressed condolences to the family of former two-time press secretary Rodolfo T. Reyes who passed away Thursday.
“Rodolfo T. Reyes was a lifelong journalist who was deeply committed to his profession,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a statement.
“He heeded the call to public service twice when he was appointed Press Secretary by Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada in 1992-1993 and in 1998-2000, respectively,” said Coloma.
“He is remembered kindly and respected highly by all those whose lives were touched by his humble and gentle ways. Our thoughts and prayers for his eternal repose go to his bereaved family,” Coloma also said.
Reyes, the first publisher and editor-in-chief of the Manila Standard, passed away early Thursday night at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City. He was 80.
A top journalist and news executive for almost 50 years, Reyes started his career in the pre-martial law Manila Times and served in various capacities in several newspapers before he put up the Manila Standard in 1987.
He is best known for an exposé on heroin addicts in 1961, for which he was acclaimed Journalist of the Year. Reyes was also chosen one of Ten Outstanding Young Men and received a Presidential Award from President Carlos Garcia and a Nieman Fellowship from Harvard University.
He served former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada as press secretary and was also appointed de facto ambassador to Taiwan.
Reyes is survived by his wife Vivina, children Theresa Alvarez and Jun Jun and six grandchildren.