Wencelito Andanar, President Rodrigo Duterte’s special envoy to Malaysia and an interior and local government official during the Arroyo administration, died on Thursday, April 22, due to liver cancer.

This was announced by his son, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, later on Thursday. The elder Andanar had passed away at 7:50 am at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

“My father was the greatest man and mentor I have ever known. He was my idol and I looked up to him, so much, that he inspired me to join public service,” said Andanar in a statement.

Wencelito, known to friends and colleagues as Wency, served multiple Philippine presidents through various capacities. He was presidential assistant during the administration of Corazon Aquino, from 1989 to 1992.

Under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, he was an interior and local government undersecretary and Philippine Coconut Authority chairman.

In 2018, Duterte tapped him as special envoy to Malaysia, a position that allowed Andanar to help link the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with international markets.

During the pandemic, Andanar had even been active in repatriating overseas Filipinos from Malaysia, said his son.

“I know I speak for many when I say that we have lost not just a remarkable civil servant but a pillar in our lives. He may no longer be with us, but his deeds and his legacy will continue to live on in our hearts,” said the younger Andanar.

Later on Thursday, Malacañang extended its condolences to the Andanar family. – Rappler.com