Democrito “Kito” Mendoza, founder of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), passed away on Tuesday evening.
The news was confirmed to INQUIRER.net by TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay, who said that the 93-year-old Mendoza died at the Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City at 6:40 p.m.
As to the cause of death, Tanjusay said they were still awaiting official records from doctors and the family.
According to Art Barrit, spokesperson of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), Mendoza had been in and out of the hospital in the past months until over a month ago when he was brought to the Chong Hua Hospital.
However, Barrit said that Mendoza was okay in the previous days until late Tuesday afternoon.
“He was so conscious until 5 p.m. (on Tuesday) when his condition suddenly deteriorated,” he said.
Mendoza was survived by his wife Marianita Mendoza, 14 children and several grandchildren.
His son, Raymond Democrito Mendoza is a congressman, who represents the TUCP Partylist group.
The elder Mendoza served as TUCP president for 38 years before resigning in 2011. He is the current chairman of the ALU-TUCP and also chairman of the Vimcontu Broadcasting Corporation which owns and operates station DYLA.
His remains now lie at the JSU-PSU Mariner’s Court, ALU Vimcontu Comp., Pier 1, Cebu City. His internment will be announced later. YG with reports from Jhunnex Napallacan, Inquirer Visayas/RAM