Manila, June 26 – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday expressed his sympathy to the family of incoming Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell Ubial, whose father Prof. Neon Corro Rosell passed away yesterday in their home in Davao.

Duterte, in a statement said, “Prof. Rosell’s dedication and patriotism are reflected in his indefatigable service to the government that lasted 38 years. His legacy lives on in his family and the generation of students of the University of the Philippines whom he has mentored, instilling in them the values of excellence and love for country.”

In 1995, Rosell retired as a professor of Zoology in U.P. Diliman. He died peacefully at the age of 86 in the family’s home in Davao.

According to his daughter Secretary designate Ubial, who is the second to the eldest, “Prof. Rosell devoted his life in sharing the value of education to his students. He has always reminded us and his students not to leave the country but serve its people.”

Incidentally, Secretary Ubial’s family has received last night the Multi-Generation UP Alumni Family Awards, a recognition given for the outstanding contributions of three successive generations of UP alumni.

The remains of Secretary Ubial’s father lies at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Davao City. Viewing is open to the public until June 29 before the former UP Professor’s remains is transferred to the family’s farm in Tawan-Tawan, Mlang, North Cotabato. Interment will be on the morning of July 3 in North Cotabato.