(APR. 8) – Former chief of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and Director General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Renato S. Velasco passed away on Apr. 4.  He was 66.

Velasco was an associate professor at the Department of Political Science at the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.

Born on Jul. 16, 1953, Velasco was PIA Director General in 2006 under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.  Both his posts as PMS Chief and PIA Director General had the rank of Secretary.

In a PhilStar Global article Velasco was mentioned as among those who passed away due to COVID-19.   In the article, Velasco was said to have been described by colleagues as a “simple, unassuming and friendly guy.”

Meanwhile, diplomat and journalist Rigoberto D. Tiglao paid Velasco a tribute in his article “Renato S. Velasco: Dear friend and comrade,” uploaded online on Apr. 6 by The Manila Times.  Tiglao called Velasco his bestfriend and comrade.

Velasco specialized in Philippine politics, comparative politics and political dynamics.