Nagpaabot ng pakikiramay ang Malacanang sa mga naulila ni Philippine Airlines Holdings president at chief operating officer Lucio ‘Bong’ Tan Jr.
Ayon kay presidential spokesman Salvador Panel, mabait na anak, kapatid at corporate man si Tan.
Sinabi ng kalihim na tiyak na mangungulila ang pamilya at mga ng yumaong sportsman at negosyante.
Sinabi pa ni panelo na nakikisimpatya ang palasyo sa pamilya Tan lalo na sa business tycoon Lucio Tan.
“We’ve been informed of the passing of Mr. Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr. who was currently president and chief operating officer of the PAL Holdings Inc. this morning at 8:45 am following his admission to a hospital shortly after he collapsed while playing basketball, a sport that he dearly loved. We express our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the Tan family, especially to Mr. Lucio Tan on the untimely demise of Mr. Bong Tan”, ayon sa kalihim.
Pumanaw sa edad na limamput tatlo si Tan matapos mag collapse habang naglalaro ng basketball.
Dagdag pa ni Panelo, “I know personally Bong Tan. He impressed me as a very humble person with a serious mien and always ready smile to people he meets. And he was a good brother to all his siblings, a beautiful son and an efficient corporate man. I’m sure the family will miss him as we miss him as a friend. Even as we pray the Almighty to give him eternal repose of his soul and may perpetual light shine upon him”.