Gary Olivar, ex-Arroyo spokesperson, dies

Gary Olivar, economic spokesperson of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has died, according to Malacañang.

“Nakikiramay po kami sa pamilya, kasamahan sa trabaho at mahal sa buhay ni Mr. Gary Olivar, dati rin pong nagtrabaho dito sa Palasyo bilang economics spokesperson ng dating Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Condolences po and you will be missed,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during his briefer on Tuesday, June 29.

“We offer our condolences to the family, colleagues and loved ones of Mr. Gary Olivar who previously worked here at the Palace as economics spokesperson of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Condolences and you will be missed.)

There is no other information as of yet about his death.

Olivar was one of the country’s foremost economists, and until his death, served as a fellow of the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF).

Under President Rodrigo Duterte, Olivar pitched in as one of the experts who guided the government in planned constitutional reforms, particularly amending economic provisions.

Olivar had a regular column in the Manila Standard before his death.

He was a political prisoner during Martial Law under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

In 1970, Olivar was a member of the University of the Philippines (UP) Student Council and staff of the Philippine Collegian. After release from detention in 1973, he earned graduate degrees from UP and Harvard and pursued a career in banking and telecoms in the Philippines and abroad.  – Rappler.com