Press Release
November 24, 2006

VILLAR STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF
PHILIPPINE STAR PUBLISHER MAX SOLIVEN

Today, the nation lost a titan of journalism, and the people a true friend. Max was not just a chronicler of the times, but one who articulated the dreams of our people.

For more than half a century, he celebrated with us in our triumphs, and commiserated with us during the times that try our soils. With wit and grace, his prose captured what we felt, whether it was a bask under the spotlight of world adulation, or rage against the dying of the light.

He cried and laughed with us, always with a sharp pen that pierced our conscience, or ego of our tormentors, and sometimes even poking fun on our failings as a people. He will terribly missed.

Paying tribute to Soliven, the Senate President filed today Senate Resolution 594 expressing the profound sympathy and sincerest condolence of the Senate of the Philippines on the death of Publisher Maximo Soliven.

Senate President Villar said that this passing notwithstanding, Solivens opinion and critiques will continue to have a vital role in shaping the nations future political landscape.

Soliven passed away on Friday, November 24, 2006 in Tokyo Japan. He began prolific career as a writer and journalist at the age of 20, as associate editor of The Sentinel; became a police and political reporter for the Manila Chronicle at the age of 25; then as business editor of the Manila Times from 1957 to 1960. He likewise became the publisher and editor of The Evening News.

He was jailed during the Martial Law, and was barred from the writing for seven years of being one of those who fearlessly criticized the Marcos dictatorship.

Villar said that as publisher of one of the countrys largest newspaper, Soliven is perceived as the nations most influential columnist due to his insightful analysis and rationales of political and economic events.

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