Malacañang has sent its condolences to the family of former Senate president Ernesto Maceda, who passed away on Monday night.

“We extend our condolences to his bereaved family and join his bereaved family in fervent prayers for his eternal repose,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

“The late former Senate President Ernesto Maceda distinguished himself as a legislator, Cabinet member, and ambassador through more than five decades of dedicated public service,” he said.

Maceda died past 8 p.m. on Monday due to multiple organ failure. He was 81.

 Maceda was first elected as senator in 1971 but the term of lawmakers then was cut short following the declaration of Martial Law. He was reelected in 1987 and in 1992, and served as Senate president from 1996 to 1998.

After his term in the Senate, Maceda was appointed as ambassador to the United States by then president Joseph Estrada.

He also served as minister of natural resources under Cory Aquino’s administration; as secretary of commerce and industry, and as executive secretary of the president under Ferdinand Marcos’ administration. PND (kt)