Malaca帽ang聽is mourning the death of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon.
鈥淲e pause in tribute to Domingo Siazon, former secretary of foreign affairs (1995-2001) and Philippine ambassador to Japan (1993-1995 and 2001-2010),鈥� presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement on Wednesday.
鈥淩espected by his colleagues in the foreign service, his peers abroad, and by presidents and the public alike, he belonged to the second generation of career diplomats who served with professionalism and who rose according to merit,鈥� he added.
Lacierda called Siazon, who served under former President Joseph Estrada鈥檚 Cabinet, 鈥渁 cultured, urbane man.鈥�
He said the secretary left behind a record of 鈥渄istinguished service鈥� to the country and that he had brought honor to the Philippine flag wherever he served.
鈥淲e extend deepest sympathies to his family at this time of profound loss,鈥� Lacierda said.
Siazon鈥檚 son Dan posted on Facebook early聽Wednesday聽that his 77-year-old father had passed away. He said his father was a 鈥渟tatesman, career diplomat, but more importantly, a loving husband, father and grandfather.鈥�