Joe Taruc, pillar of broadcasting industry, signs off at 70

Joe Taruc (Photo courtesy of DZRH)

Published: 8:02 p.m., Sept. 30, 2017 | Updated: 11:04 p.m., Sept. 30, 2017

Veteran broadcast journalist Jose Malgapo Taruc Jr., widely known as Joe Taruc, passed away at around 3 a.m. on Saturday, his family confirmed.

He was 70.

“Our father, Jose M. Malgapo, Jr. or, Joe Taruc to many of us, has gone to join  his Creator, early morning of September 30, 2017,” Taruc’s son, GMA broadcaster and television host Jay Taruc, said in a statement.

“He died in his sleep. At this point, our family would like to request some time to mourn his death and celebrate his life in private,” he added.

Announcements will soon be made regarding the details for Taruc’s wake and interment, Jay said.

Taruc’s colleagues and politicians mourned his passing, whom they described as the “voice of the truth.”

“Para sa maraming kababayan natin na nakikinig ng radyo, si Joe Taruc ang boses ng katotohanan,” Sen. Grace Poe said in a statement.

(For many of our fellow men who listen to the radio, Joe Taruc is the voice of the truth.)

“Ang kanyang matalim na komentaryo at malinaw na pag-uulat ang sandigan ng paniniwala ng ating mga kababayan. Ang kanyang pagpanaw ay mag-iiwan ng malaking kahungkagan sa pamamahayag sa himpapawid,” she added.

(His sharp commentaries and clear reportage was the anchor of our people’s belief. His death left a huge void in broadcasting.)

Senator Sonny Angara, in a tweet, also expressed his grief over Taruc’s passing.

RIP Manong Joe Taruc, an institution in d broadcast industry. As someone undergoing dialysis he supported our free dialysis bill @dzrhnews

— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) September 30, 2017

Malacañang also paid tribute to Taruc and condoled with his family on his passing.

“We offer our deepest condolences to the family of news anchor Jose ‘Joe’ Taruc Jr.,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

“Manong Joe was an institution in the radio broadcast industry,” he added. “A multi-awarded journalist, Mr. Taruc became the pillar of DZRH where he held several key positions. The nation mourns the passing of radio broadcast giant Joe Taruc. He will be missed.”

“I will never forget the lively interviews and discussions with Manong JT,” said Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, referring to Taruc’s initials.

Senator Joel Villanueva praised Taruc for his sense of professionalism and integrity.

“[He] can truly be considered a legend as he competently served in the broadcast industry for four decades. Indeed, his voice is something we would like to hear on a daily basis,” he said. “We will always remember him not only as a respected and credible journalist but also as a good man.”

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar paid tribute to Taruc on his Facebook page.

“To the legendary Manong Joe Taruc, thank you for everything! I will forever be grateful,” Andanar said in his post that accompanied a photo of him with the late broadcaster at a dzRH studio.

Born Jose M. Malgapo Jr., the veteran radio host was a respected and multiawarded broadcast journalist with four decades of work over the radio and contributions to the media industry.

An accounting graduate of Jose Rizal College, he was involved with different broadcast networks as a reporter before becoming part of Manila Broadcasting Co. (MBC) in 1986, where he also became a board director.

In 2001, Taruc became the vice president of dzRH, the radio unit of MBC. He also served as station manager.

At dzRH, he anchored public affairs programs like “Liberty in Action” and “Damdaming Bayan,” where he tackled and made in-depth analyses of important national issues. /atm