Renowned journalist Amando Doronila passed away at the age of 95 on July 7 in Australia.
The Manila Times, where he formerly work, reported that the cause of his death was pneumonia.
He is survived by his children Augustine, Maria Lourdes, and Andrew, as well as his grandchildren Katie and Ben Humphries, and great-granddaughter Maci Morris.
Doro in journalism, Marcos' regime
Doronila had a distinguished career in journalism, including writing an evening column for The Manila Times during the 1960s and early 1970s.
He began his journalistic journey as a reporter and columnist at the Manila Bulletin.
The veteran journalist later became a political columnist at the Daily Mirror in Manila from 1963 to 1972.
Additionally, he served as the President of the National Press Club of the Philippines and lectured part-time in Journalism at the University of the Philippines.
During the period leading up to Martial Law, there was growing criticism from former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and the government regarding media coverage of the administration. Numerous libel suits were filed against media organizations.
Doronila publicly expressed that the president's hostile attitude created a coercive environment within the media.
Despite the escalating tension, Doronila and the Chronicle, a newspaper that was closed down when martial law was imposed, maintained a vocal opposition to the administration.
They openly protested the suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus following the Plaza Miranda Bombings in 1971.
After Marcos declared Martial Law, Doronila, along with many others, was detained.
He was released in December 1972 under the condition that he would refrain from engaging in anti-national activities, seek prior approval from the military for work, and avoid interviews with local or foreign media outlets.
