Vice-President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday said he is deeply saddened by the death of former senator Ernesto Maceda.

In a statement, Binay said: "Manong Ernie served the nation in various capacities and lived through historic moments in our nation's history, mostly as an active participant but never as a spectator."

"Manong Ernie will be sorely missed by his family, his friends in government and politics, and those who valued and appreciated his work for the nation," he added.

Maceda was a known supporter of Binay. He ran for senator under the United Nationalist Alliance ticket in 2013 but lost.

Maceda served for 3 Senate terms - one during the pre-martial law Congress, two during the post-EDSA legislature.

He is best known for his privilege speeches exposing government anomalies and other controversial issues, earning him the moniker "Mr. Exposé."

Among his high-profile exposés was the PEA-Amari scam involving the overpriced purchase of reclaimed land in Manila bay, which he called "the grandmother of all scams."

Maceda also triggered a Senate probe on the so-called "Brunei Beauties" - female celebrities who were allegedly into high-class prostitution in the oil-rich state.

READ: 'Mr. Exposé' Ernesto Maceda dies at 81