Morato succumbs to COVID-19, 87

MANILA, Philippines — Former Movie and Television Review Classifications Board (MTRCB) chairman Manuel “Manoling” Morato has passed away. He was 87.

Morato, who also served as chairman and board member of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, died at a Quezon City hospital on Friday afternoon due to COVID-19, his family confirmed to ABS-CBN News.

In a statement, the MTRCB described Morato as a legend of the Philippine entertainment industry.

“Your contributions to history, the national discourse and the lives of the Filipino people will remain ever large in our hearts,” it said.

Morato headed the agency from 1986 to 1992 during the administration of former president Corazon Aquino.

He unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 1992 and 2001, as well as for president in 1998.

Morato was appointed to PCSO by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.