Liberal Party ‘mentor, matriarch’ Judy Araneta-Roxas dies at 91
Judy Araneta-Roxas, the wife of the late Sen. Gerry Roxas and mother of former Sen. Mar Roxas, died on Aug. 26 at the age of 91.
“We are very sad to share that our mother Judy Araneta-Roxas passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by family and loved ones,” Mar said in a Facebook post on Tuesday night.
Judy was closely associated with the Liberal Party (LP) which was cofounded by former President Manuel Roxas, the father of Gerry and grandfather of Mar. The party paid tribute to Judy in a statement, calling her a “matriarch and mentor.”
Indelible mark
“She was a voice of wisdom and a wellspring of strength, guiding generations of Liberals to hold fast to the values of freedom, justice and service to the people,” LP President Erin Tañada said. “Even without seeking public office, she embodied the essence of leadership—rooted in humility, conviction and grace,” he said.
“We grieve her passing, but we celebrate a life that has left an indelible mark on our party and our nation,” Tañada added.
For LP Vice Chair Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Judy “was mother to generations of Liberal Party members.”
“Seriously injured in the Plaza Miranda bombing, she remained undeterred and went on to touch countless lives,” he said in a statement.
Judy and her husband were among the 95 injured in the 1971 bombing of Plaza Miranda during an LP campaign rally that left nine people dead.
For Mamamayang Liberal party list Rep. Leila de Lima, Judy “lived through some of the most difficult chapters in our nation’s history and carried herself with grace and resolve.”
“From Plaza Miranda to the long years of martial law, from the loss of her husband and son to her tireless work with foundations and communities, she showed us what it means to persevere with dignity and to serve without seeking the spotlight,” De Lima said.
“Her counsel and quiet leadership kept the Liberal Party rooted in its ideals,” she added.
Judy served as vice chair of the Araneta Group and as president of the Gerry Roxas Foundation and the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, the social development arm of the Araneta Group.
