Win Gatchalian mourns Gilberto Duavit Sr.’s passing

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday expressed his condolences over the death of former congressman and founding chairman of GMA-7 Attorney Gilberto M. Duavit Sr.

"I join the Filipino people in mourning the passing of former Rizal Representative Gilberto Duavit, Sr. Cong. Duavit was a stalwart of our political party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition, and a respected member of Congress for many years," Gatchalian said in a statement.

"His legacy as a public servant and as a pioneer in the media industry will live on. I send my deepest condolences to his family," he added.

Duavit died on Friday. He was 84.

Duavit was chairman of GMA Network, Inc. from 1974 to 1976 and was a former Director of the company in 1977. He was also one of the pillars behind the rebirth of Republic Broadcasting System (RBS)-TV Channel 7 in the 1970s.

Duavit was elected as member of the 9th, 10th, and 11th Congresses, representing the 1st District of Rizal.

Duavit's remains will be at Heritage Park in Taguig City for public until Sunday, and  will be brought to Binangonan, Rizal on Tuesday. —Jamil Santos/LBG, GMA News