DAGUPAN City Mayor Belen Fernandez described the late The SUNDAY PUNCH publisher-editor Ermin F. Garcia Jr. as more than a journalist because he was “the voice  for the voiceless, a defender of good governance, and a fearless guardian of the public trust.”

Garcia, who took over the community newspaper from his martyred father, Ermin F. Garcia Sr., died on July 23, 2025. He was 77.

The mayor was among those who spoke during a Farewell Tribute on August 23 at the Star Plaza Hotel, where she, Vice Mayor Bryan Kua, and some members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod handed a resolution of condolence to the Garcia family represented by sisters Josie and Charisse.

“Ermin believed that journalism was not only about reporting events but about protecting the people’s right to know the truth. He wielded his pen with bravery, never allowing fear or favor to sway his conviction,” Fernandez said.

She added that Ermin stood by leaders who genuinely sought the good of the community, saying, “he consistently helped me by defending my integrity as a leader and championing my programs for honest and effective governance.”

Others who paid tribute were Robina Gokongwei of the Robinsons Group of Companies, who spoke online; Mark Espinoza, station manager of IFM Radio, who hosted the “Punchline” radio program, along with Garcia; Atty. Farah Decano, dean of the College of Law of Lyceum-Northwestern University, and columnist of the PUNCH; Councilor Luis Samson Jr., president of the University of Luzon; Kua; and Councilor Michael Fernandez, who was tasked to read the resolution of condolences.

Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia joined the mass but left for another engagement before the start of the memorial.

One of Garcia’s sisters, Charisse Garcia-Chuidian, was teary-eyed as she expressed her deepest thanks in behalf of their family to those who shared in their moment of sorrow. (Leonardo Micua)

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