Isagani Yambot, Inquirer publisher, dies of heart attack
According to reports by Rappler.com and GMA News Online, Yambot died of heart attack Friday night. His death came a week after he went a heart bypass surgery last week. He was 77. A lifelong journalist, Yambot served as the Executive Editor of Malaya before being tapped to be the publisher of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Here are some reactions to his death via Twitter:
Manolo Quezon (former Inquirer columnist) – “Mourns the passing of Isagani Yambot. Was first and foremost a journalist’s journalist, never jaded, always a perfectionist and a gentleman.”
Jing Reyes (head, ABS-CBN News) – Our condolences. He will be missed..
Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel – So sad abt d death of Isagani Yambot. 🙁 condolences to his family, friends & colleagues. Prayers for his peace & consolation for all
Meanwhile, the Inquirer has released this brief statement:
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our publisher Isagani Yambot. Gani as he was fondly called was instrumental in the success of the Inquirer. We are very grateful to all of his contributions and we applaud his passion and commitment to his work. We request that you join us in prayer for the eternal repose of his soul.
Statement from the Palace
In a statement, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte described Yambot as a “calm, cheerful presence not only in the newsroom and boardroom of his paper, but in every gathering of note among journalists and between media, civil society, and government.”
Valte noted that Yambot “was one of the links with the pre-martial law press who mentored a new generation of journalists to understand just how much a free press matters.” “The loss of his presence will be felt deeply by a nation that knows all a newsman can ask for, in the end, is this simple epitaph: he wrote it, as he saw it, with honest words and with his only master, the truth,” Valte concluded.
About Author
I am sorry hearing the news. I read the Inquirer everyday online, actually several times during the day since they constantly update. I especially like the columns of Ramon Rulfo. I have been reading him for years. I also read the columns of Amando Doronila.
It seems I am the news source among friends and family, as I am asked each evening about what is happening. I am asked, “What’s the latest balita?”
Same here. I have online contacts who tell me that by just reading the stuff I post online, they are already updated with the news. Mr. Yambot’s sudden passing leaves a huge void in the Philippine journalism scene that will be extremely hard to fill.
condolences to the family