Former press secretary and Manila Bulletin publisher Crispulo Julio “Jun” Icban Jr. (Photo courtesy of PCOO)
MANILA – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Thursday paid tribute to the late press secretary and veteran journalist Crispulo Julio “Jun” Icban Jr.
“Tayo po ay nakikiramay sa pagpanaw ng isang kapwa nating mamahayag, ang journalist at isa ring alumnus ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (UP). Ang tinutukoy po natin ay si Crispulo Icban Jr. Sumakabilang buhay noong Lunes (We send our condolences over the passing of a journalist and an alumnus of the University of the Philippines. I am referring to Crispulo Icban Jr. who died on Monday),” Panelo said during his commentary show “Counterpoint.”
Panelo said the media industry has lost an icon following Icban’s passing.
He praised Icban for the latter’s commitment to his profession and for reporting news sans commentaries.
“Matagal na itong si Jun Icban. Marami na pong pinagdaanan ito (Jun Icban has been [in the news industry] for a long time. He was able to overcome so many challenges),” he said.
Panelo also prayed for the repose of Icban’s soul.
Icban, 85, passed away on Monday, the local newspaper Manila Bulletin announced in a Facebook post. His cause of death was not mentioned.
Icban served as Manila Bulletin’s editor-in-chief for the last 18 years and was named concurrent publisher in 2020.
He graduated magna cum laude from the UP in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
He started his career in journalism at the Manila Times in 1954.
In 2010, Icban also served as press secretary of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (PNA)
