Ex-DOTC chief Mendoza dead at 67

Published October 7, 2013 9:21am

(Updated 11:14 a.m.) Former Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza passed away before dawn Monday at the age of 67 after suffering from a stroke, his son said in a radio interview.

Mendoza's son, Batangas Rep. Mark Mendoza, said the former official died in his house in Batangas between 1 and 1:30 a.m.

This was also confirmed by Rep. Mendoza on GMA News TV's News To Go Monday morning.

"Kaninang madaling araw pumanaw ang aming ama, bandang 1 to 1:30 kanina. Sa bahay namin sa Batangas nangyari," the younger Mendoza said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said his father had had a stroke some years back but had another stroke early Monday.

The younger Mendoza said the family is still discussing plans for the interment of his father.

Posts held

The elder Mendoza served in the Philippine National Police and was named PNP chief after the EDSA-2 revolt in 2001.

He was named to various posts in the Arroyo administration, including Executive Secretary and DOTC Secretary.

In March 2012, Mendoza had also survived a heart attack in Batangas province a few days after the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court ordered his arrest for his involvement in the $329.48-million national broadband network contract with Chinese firm ZTE Inc.

Also ordered arrested were former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her husband Jose Miguel, and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Benjamin Abalos Sr.

Mendoza posted a P30,000-bail even as he denied the allegations against him.

Mendoza, a 1969 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, served as the chief of Philippine National Police under Mrs. Arroyo from March 16, 2001 to July 3, 2002, before being appointed as head of the DOTC in July 3, 2002 until 2010.

At Camp Crame, the National Police said it was mourning the death of Mendoza, the 9th chief of the organization.

"Full honors will be rendered to General Mendoza, in accordance with PNP protocol, customs and tradition," the PNP statement read.

"Further announcements will be made regarding details of the funeral arrangements in coordination with the bereaved family," it added. — With a report from Amanda Fernandez/RSJ/KG, GMA News

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