MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar paid tribute to veteran journalist Melo Acuña, who passed away early Friday.
“Today, we lost a good friend and veteran journalist with the passing of Melo Acuña. A reporter through and through, he continued his work of delivering news while already confined at the Quezon City General Hospital. He was a media man until his very last breath,” Andanar said in a press statement.
Andanar also hailed Acuña as “one of the pillars” of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) who “played a pivotal role in the growth of Philippine journalism with his extensive experience throughout his career as an accredited broadcast journalist.”
He also praised Acuña for being “frank and straightforward” when asking queries.
“He (Acuña) was a dedicated journalist and a committed partner in disseminating truthful information to the public,” Andanar said. “Melo will be remembered for his informative platter shows, which have let us connect with different key information sources on important issues.”
Andanar also expressed appreciation for Acuña’s participation in the PCOO’s programs, including the Laging Handa briefing and Roque’s virtual presser.
He said members of the media will keep Acuna’s memories “close to [their] hearts”.
“As someone who has devoted his life to journalism, Melo will be truly missed, especially by those whose lives he has touched and those he has served through his love for his profession,” Andanar said. “We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family, loved ones, friends, and colleagues of Melo Acuña for his passing. We pray for the eternal repose of his soul.”
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also expressed sympathies over the death of Acuña.
“I will remember you for asking insightful questions, framed in context and always delivered with respect and sensitivity, not just for the institution but for the people who watch the briefing,” Roque said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page.
Acuña passed away at 2:30 a.m. four days after he was admitted to the Quezon City General Hospital, his wife Ma. Jhona announced on Friday morning.
The family requested privacy during this time.
Acuña started his official journalism career when he landed a job at DWCW-GTV in Lucena where he wrote news, did field reports, and handled late evening platter shows.
He worked full-time at DWGW-IBC in Legazpi City and became a stringer for Reuters and a correspondent for Manila Bulletin from 1980 onward.
In 1994, he joined DZRV-Radio Veritas and covered various government agencies, such as the departments of defense, trade and industry, energy, the interior and local government, transportation, Commission on Human Rights, House of Representatives, and Supreme Court until he became the station manager in 2004.
He joined the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines media office in 2007 and became a correspondent for China Radio International from 2010 to 2018.
In 2018, he began writing for Asia Pacific Daily and has covered the Palace, defense, foreign affairs, business and trade, health, and energy beats. (PNA)
Source: Philippines News Agency
