Herminio Aquino, the chairman of Aksyon Demokratiko, died on Saturday, July 31.

He was 72.

Aksyon Demokratiko made the announcement on Sunday morning, August 1, saying Aquino was “an inspiring servant leader, a great man, and a true patriot.”

Aquino, better known as “Hermie,” was a businessman, a former lawmaker, a former vice governor, and a former vice presidential candidate.

He was the uncle of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr, and the grand-uncle of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who also passed away on June 24 this year.

Under the administration of Corazon Aquino, Hermie Aquino served as deputy executive secretary and minister of the Ministry of Human Settlements from 1986 to 1987.

He then become the 3rd District Representative of Tarlac from 1987 to 1998. From 1998 to 2001, he was the vice governor of Tarlac.

In 2004, he was invited by presidential candidate Raul Roco to be his vice-presidential running mate. Both lost to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Noli de Castro, respectively.

He ran again for his district’s congressional post in 2013 but lost, despite the endorsement of his grand-nephew, Noynoy.

Outside of politics, Hermie Aquino became the chairman and president of the Buenavista Management Corporation and worked in advertising with Tradeworks Inc.

He was married to Ma. Victoria Guanzon, with whom he had four children. – Rappler.com