Palace 'saddened' by Shahani's passing

MANILA - The Malacañang is "saddened" by the news of the passing of former senator and veteran diplomat Leticia Ramos Shahani on Monday morning and expressed condolences to her bereaved family.

• READ: Ex-senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani passes away

"The Palace is saddened by the news of former senator and career diplomat Leticia Ramos Shahani’s passing this morning," a statement from Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

The statement added that Shahani "served the nation well as Senator of the Republic and worked tirelessly in the executive branch in various capacities under different administrations."

"Our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of the former Senator. She was a profound humanist and her voice will be missed," it added.

Shahani, a champion of women's rights in her different roles, died at the intensive care unit of St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City at age 87.

Her family will hold a six-day wake for the late stateswoman, beginning Wednesday.

She will be at Funeraria Paz in Sucat on the first day, and will be brought to the Senate and the Department of Foreign Affairs on the second and third day respectively, before being brought back to the funeral parlor until the sixth day.