Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 1) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday declared a national period of mourning following the death of the country’s 12th president, Fidel V. Ramos.
It will run 10 days from the official announcement of the death on July 31.
“It is fitting to devote a period of national mourning to pay tribute to an esteemed leader who has dedicated his life to public service and has left a lasting mark on our country,” the chief executive said.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte issued a similar proclamation when ex-President Benigno Aquino III died in June 2021.
The proclamation order signed by Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez also states that Philippine flags in all government buildings should be flown at half-staff for 10 days.
Government offices, legislative institutions, and other buildings already placed their flags at half-staff as early as Monday morning in honor of the former president who passed away on Sunday at the age of 94.
The Armed Forces also began its period of mourning on Monday for a former commander in chief with a reveille at 5 a.m. or a salvo of eight gunfire to represent the first eight provinces that rose against the Spanish colonizers. It is repeated at 5 p.m..
This was followed by one artillery gun fire every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m.
All military personnel will wear the black mourning bands for one month.
Ramos, popularly addressed through his initials FVR, was the 12th president from 1992 to 1998.
He had a long career in government, having served as chief of the Philippine Constabulary, the predecessor of the Philippine National Police, from 1972 to 1986 under then President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Ramos was a key figure in the 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted Marcos before he became chief of staff of the Armed Forces from 1986 to 1988 under President Corazon Aquino. He was Defense secretary from 1988 to 1991 before he was elected president in 1992.
