Ex-Palace spokesman on life support

MANILA, Philippines - Former presidential spokesman and lawyer Jerry Barican was put on life support after collapsing while confined at the Makati Medical Center last Sunday, a family friend said yesterday.

According to Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Barican has been in the hospital where he was rushed after suffering a stroke last Aug. 21.

“There is no change in his condition yet. He is still on life support. He had a stroke on Thursday and he was supposedly being tested for brain cancer at the time he was admitted,” Angeles said.

Last February, Barican underwent surgery after suffering a heart attack.

A bachelor and only child, Barican is being looked after by cousins and friends.

Barican was a student leader and was once chairman of the University of the Philippines Student Council. He played a crucial role in the First Quarter Storm and      when martial law was declared, he was among those detained by the military.

He also wrote a column for the Manila Standard.

Marcos spokesman dies

Meanwhile, the long-time spokesman for the Marcos family died of brain aneurysm last Sunday.

In a report of Bombo Radyo Laoag, Lito Gorospe suddenly lost consciousness and was rushed to a hospital in Quezon City but died around 9 p.m. before his scheduled surgery.

Gorospe was a famous radio and TV personality in the early ’60s when he hosted Night Owl Dance Party, a popular TV show.

He served at the Malacañang Press Office during the martial law years.

He also served as the head of PTV-4 in 1974 together with then press secretary Francisco Tatad.

Gorospe was said to be one of the few trusted men of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

He also worked as media consultant of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his term as Ilocos Norte governor from 1998-2007.

Before his death, he served as spokesman for former first lady and now Ilocos Norte second district Rep. Imelda Marcos. – With Ariel Paolo Tejada