Civil society activist RC Constantino dies at 79
Activist Renato Constantino Jr., known as “RC” to his family and friends, died at the age of 79, the Constantino Foundation confirmed on Friday.
“With great sadness, we announce the passing of Renato Constantino Jr. “RC” to family and friends. We mourn the unbearable loss even as we celebrate a life fully lived,” the Constantino Foundation said on Facebook.
He was the son of deceased nationalist writer and historian Renato Constantino, who authored standard history books “The Past Revisited,” “The Continuing Past” and compendiums on the works of nationalist legislator Claro M. Recto.
RC, a renowned leader of activist civil society, was the father of ABS-CBN News Channel anchor and journalist Karmina Constantino-Torres, who lamented in a post of X: “I just lost my hero. Pop, help me pull through.”
A wake will be held on April 8, Monday, at 38 Panay Avenue in Barangay Paligsahan, Quezon City from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
As national chair of Sanlakas, he participated in key issues such as civil liberties, human rights and the presence of US bases in the country. In a feature article by the Inquirer in June 2002, he said that he often got into trouble for his activities in the organization. “I have no regrets,” he remarked.
Constantino made the rounds in the news for his participation in an impassioned debate over moves for Charter change in a conference held at the Dusit Hotel in Makati in December 2006.
In July 2007, Constantino would also be among petitioners, joining former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, the late National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, various militant groups and several other individuals, in opposition to the antiterror Human Security Act of 2007.
In a column written by Randy David for the Inquirer, he recalls how RC, his brother-in-law, turned himself in after soldiers came looking for his father, Constantino Sr., the evening before Marcos officially proclaimed martial law. Constantino Sr. would eventually be put on indefinite house arrest. RC was released a few weeks later.
Apart from cause-oriented work, Constantino had business ventures, most notably as chair of the Berlitz Language Center in 2002. —Inquirer Research INQ
