Retired general, former executive secretary, and former Batangas first district representative Eduardo Ermita died on 18 October at the age of 90.

In a Facebook post, his family said Ermita passed away peacefully at 8 a. m. on Saturday, surrounded by his loved ones.

“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we, the Ermita family, announce the passing of our beloved father, General Eduardo Ramos Ermita (retired), a dedicated public servant and our guiding light,” said the Facebook post.

Ermita was a Philippine Military Academy graduate of 1957. He rose through the ranks and became deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 1986 to 1988.

During the term of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Ermita served as executive secretary and defense secretary.

“Our father lived a full life in steadfast service to the Filipino people. As a soldier, he served with honor and dedication during some of the nation’s most challenging times,” the post said.

Ermita was born in Balayan, Batangas. He served as a congressman of the first district from 1992 to 2001.

“He was a true patriarch, not only of our family but of the entire first district of Batangas whose welfare remained his foremost concern until the very end,” the family said.