MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar extended his condolences to the family of Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog Secretary Jose Maria Nicomedes “Dennis” Hernandez who died Sunday morning due to severe pneumonia.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog Secretary Jose Maria Nicomedes ‘Dennis’ Hernandez on his passing,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Andanar said Hernandez’s passing is a “great loss” to the region.
“The sudden passing of Secretary Hernandez is truly a great loss to those who knew him and those he was able to serve both at the local and regional level. We pray for the eternal repose of his soul,” he added.
He also hailed Hernandez’s political career which included serving as former Vice Mayor of Tanauan, Batangas in 1971 and Provincial Board Member of Batangas.
Hernandez’s penchant for public service was further exemplified when he was appointed as an Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government under Alfredo Lim, he said.
Andanar said Hernandez also served as Special Assistant to former President Fidel Ramos.
Aside from serving as the Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog, Hernandez was also the Regional President of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and the Chairperson of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) for Region 4A and 4B, he added.
Reports showed that Hernandez was rushed to the hospital after experiencing difficulty in breathing on Sunday, around 9:30 a.m.
He was declared dead around 11:11 a.m.
A swab test was conducted on his remains to determine if he had contracted coronavirus disease 2019.
Hernandez’s will be transferred to San Fernando Funeral Homes in Lipa City.