Malacañang on Monday paid tribute to the late Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani.
“The Palace is saddened by the news of former senator and career diplomat Shahani’s passing this morning,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella said in a statement.
Abella said Shahani served the nation well as Senator of the Republic and worked tirelessly in the executive branch in various capacities under different administrations.
“Our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of the former Senator. She was a profound humanist and her voice will be missed,” he added.
Shahani, 87, died at around 2:40 a.m. on Monday, March 20. She was suffering from cancer of the colon.
She has three children with writer Ranjee Shahani; namely Ranjit, Chanda and Lila.
Her family announced that her wake will begin on Wednesday, March 22, at the Funeraria Paz in Sucat, Parañaque.
Shahani is the younger sister of former President Fidel V. Ramos. She served as senator from 1987 to 1988.
Members of the Senate on Monday expressed grief over the death of Shahani.
Senator Grace Poe, in a statement said the Filipino nation lost a formidable advocate of women’s rights, a staunch environmentalist and a seasoned diplomat.
“From her extensive career in the foreign service to her stint in the Senate, Manang Letty demonstrated how public service should be: sincere, dynamic and exemplary,” Senator Poe added.
Senator Franklin M. Drilon also issued a statement, joining the nation in mourning the passing of Seantor Shahani whom she described as a “celebrated legislator, diplomat, writer and academician’ and represented the very best of Filipina skill, intelligence and determination.
“I will be forever proud that during my time as Senate President in the 16th Congress, I led the chamber in honoring the life and works of Senator Ramos-Shahani with Senate Resolution No. 87, which she personally received from us,” Drilon added.
Shahani also served as the Philippine envoy to Australia, Romania, Hungary, and Germany and to the United Nations.
She also served as foreign affairs undersecretary and chair of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino.
From 2001 to 2004, Shahani headed the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.in 1987 to integrate ethical values into nation building and government.
