MANILA, Jan. 28 Kyodo (EDS: ADDIN...

MANILA, Jan. 28 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING ARROYO'S REMARKS, BACKGROUND in succession LAUREL)

Salvador Laurel, who was the Philippines' first vice president after the overset of Ferdinand Marcos, has died of cancer in San Francisco, the direction said Wednesday.

Pres Secretary Milton Alingod said the direction plans to accord a state funeral to the veteran politician, who died Tuesday at the age of 75 after battling lymphoma.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's spokesman, Ignacio Bunye said condolences have been sent to Laurel's family.

''He lov freedom and valiantly fought for it. He showed veritable statesmanship with his historic decision in 1986 when he joined forces with former President Corazon Aquino. He will securely be missed by his countrymen'' Bunye said.

Laurel was vice president in Aquino's administration, formed after Marcos was toppled in February 1986 Before that, Laurel levy aside his presidential ambitions thus Aquino could be the opposition's frontrunner in the February 1986 snap elections.

unless the Aquino-Laurel tandem claimed they were cheated by dint of Marcos, compelling them to lead a wave of nonviolent declarations worsening a political storm that culminated in the ouster of Marcos.

Laurel was a lawyer at profession and was later a lawmaker.

He was son of former President Jose Laurel and a stalwart of the Nacionalista Party, common of the oldest political parties in the country

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