Watch more News on iWantTFC

MANILA – Former Trade Undersecretary Vic Dimagiba, who was a co-host in DZMM TeleRadyo, has passed away. He was 73.

His son Victorio Dimagiba Jr., deputy consul-general of the Philippine consulate in the Canadian cities of Calgary and Alberta, confirmed his passing on Tuesday.

Dimagiba Jr. did not disclose the cause of his father's death, although earlier this month, Alvin Elchico of ABS-CBN News said the family of his former "KONSYUMER ATBP" program co-host was "asking for prayers for his immediate recovery."

In an interview on TeleRadyo on Wednesday, Dimagiba Jr. said he and his wife were about to board their flight to Manila when they were informed about his father's death.

"Tinawagan po kami actually minutes before we boarded, so I was already aware. It was very sad, but we are happy that the pain is over," he said.

• Catholic media personality, evangelist Ilsa Reyes passes away

An advocate of consumer's rights, Dimagiba joined the Department of Trade and Industry in 2005 and later served as Supervising Undersecretary in the agency's Consumer Protection Group from 2014 until 2016.

He was the founder and president of the non-profit Laban Konsyumer Inc. to help consumers protect and empower their rights.

Dimagiba, Jr. shared that he personally encountered people who "appreciated" his father's "good advice as well as his very common-sense explanation of the issues of the day, especially sa mga consumer issues."

There was an instance in Canada, he said, wherein he was asked if he was related to the former DTI official, who became known to many because of his show on TeleRadyo for years.

"May isang beses na may hinatid ako na isang function ng Filipino organizations. Nilapitan ako kung kaano-ano ko si Undersecretary Vic Dimagiba," the foreign service officer said.

Dimagiba earned his political science and law degrees at the University of the Philippines, and his Master of Laws at the School of Law, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He became a New York State Bar Member in 1986.

Dimagiba Jr. said his father's remains have been cremated and his wake is at the Sta. Maria della Strada Parish in Loyola, Quezon City.

Those who wish to pay their last respects may do so until Saturday, Sept. 17, with viewing hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

"I know that the thoughts and prayers of lots of our kababayans are there for him, for everything he has done for the Filipino people especially when he was in DTI and even after his stint in DTI when he was a very active and passionate consumer advocate," Dimagiba Jr. said.