Frank Chavez passes away; 66

MANILA, Philippines— Former Solicitor General Francisco “Frank” Chavez, who was a known critic of the Marcos family, died Wednesday night due to stroke at the age of 66.

Chavez’ daughter Ingrid Chavez confirmed this to Radyo Inquirer 990AM early Thursday morning through phone.

According to Ingrid, her father died at 10:20 p.m. She refuted rumors or speculations on the cause of her father’s death, saying that his death was due to his failing health.

Chavez has been confined in the hospital since July while he fought Lymphoma, a variant of blood cancer.

He was reportedly confined at The Medical City on Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City.

Chavez was among those nominated last year for the Chief Justice post to replace ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.

A solicitor general under the Corazon Aquino administration, Chavez was a known active critic of the Marcos family.

In 1986, he was awarded as one of Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for his excellence in human rights and legal matters.

Chavez was born on Feb. 6, 1947, at Bateria town in Sagay, Negros Occidental province.

He finished law cum laude at the University of the Philippines in 1971.

According to radio reports, the remains of Chavez will be brought to Santuario de San Antonio parish in Forbes Park in Makati.

In memory of Frank

The date of his death did not escape the notice of Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te who tweeted: “Frank Chavez died on Marcos’s birthday; I think Chavez would be chuckling at the irony.”

Senator Cynthia Villar, whose who had hired Chavez as legal counsel, expressed her condolences to the former solicitor general’s family.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, who served notable clients, also paid tribute to his co-lawyer saying, “fare The Well, Compañero Frank Chavez. Lawyer, singer, lover boy; a man after my own heart. It was fun working with you.”