BSP Gov. Nestor Espenilla Jr. dies at 60

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' Monetary Board confirmed that BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. passed away on Saturday.

"It is with deep sadness that the Monetary Board (MB) announced that Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor and Chairman of the Monetary Board Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. peacefully passed away on 23 February 2019 surrounded by members of his family," the BSP said in a statement.

"The Governor, 60, had been undergoing treatment for cancer for more than a year," it added.

Espenilla had earlier revealed that he was recovering from early-stage tongue cancer, which was diagnosed in November 2017.

In March 2018, Espenilla said he finished radiation treatment, and he was confident that his health will normalize.

In September 2018, Espenilla announced that he was taking a two-week break, from September 19 to October 2, to undergo treatment.

He subsequently extended the medical leave to October 26.

Espenilla was appointed BSP chief by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 3, 2017.

He also served as ex-officio chair of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Philippine International Convention Center, and the Financial Stability Coordination Council.

Espenilla graduated with a bachelor's degree in business economics, cum laude, and an MBA from the University of the Philippines. He also held a masteral degree in policy science from the Graduate Institute of Policy Science in Tokyo, Japan.

He is survived by his wife Maria Teresita Festin Espenilla, children Jacqueline Joyce and Ben Baltazar, Nikko Nestor, Leonardo Nestor, and grandchild Zev Eron.

Wake details will be announced later, the BSP said.

Meanwhile, the MB announced that Deputy Governor Almasara Cyd Tuano-Amador would be the BSP's Officer-in-Charge until such time that Duterte designates an OIC or appoints a successor to Espenilla. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas and Ted Cordero/DVM/KG, GMA News