FORMER Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño died yesterday after a bout with acute respiratory failure and lung cancer.
In a statement, the Diño family said the 66-year-old former DILG executive passed away at 2:15 a.m.
“He suffered from acute respiratory failure and has been battling with stage IV lung cancer for more than a year,” the statement read.
It said Diño “was not only a dedicated public servant but also a loving husband, father, brother, and friend.
“His unwavering commitment to his responsibilities, his tireless work ethic, and his passion for service defined his life’s journey,” the statement said.
“His contributions to our nation’s progress, particularly on local governance and barangay development, will forever stand as a testament to his commitment to a better society,” it added.
Diño once served as chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), a post he used to “champion the rights of the oppressed and fight against injustice.”
“Through VACC, he stood unwaveringly by the side of the marginalized, his dedication and commitment leaving an indelible mark on the fight for a better world,” the family said.
The family said it is comforted by the “outpouring of love and support” from Diño’s friends, colleagues and well-wishers.
“His legacy of resilience, compassion, and a deep sense of duty will forever guide us,” said Diño.
Diño served as DILG undersecretary for barangay affairs during the term of former President Duterte.
During the 2016 elections, he submitted his certificate of candidacy to run for president under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Diño later withdrew from the race, paving the way for the PDP-Laban to pick Duterte, then the Davao City mayor, as the party’s candidate for president.
surveillance that the abovementioned food product is not registered, and no corresponding CPR has been issued” for its marketing in the country.
The agency warned consuming such product may pose risk to public health “since this food product has not gone through the evaluation process of the FDA.” “The agency cannot assure its quality and safety,” it added.
Likewise, the FDA warned business establishments against distributing, advertising, or selling VTALK Korean Juice Blue Lemonaid pending the issuance of a CPR.
It also called on all law enforcement agencies and local government units to ensure that the product is not sold or made available in their areas of jurisdiction.
The FDA also appealed to the Bureau of Customs to prevent the entry of the unregistered imported food product. — Gerard Naval
