Manila, 31 July 2022 (dpa/MIA) – Former Philippine president Fidel Ramos, credited for lifting what was known as Asia’s basket-case economy to “tiger cub” status in the 1990s, died at 94 on Sunday, his family said. The cause of death was not immediately known, and the family asked for privacy for “time to grieve together,” according to a statement announcing the former leader’s passing. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed his deepest condolences to the family, adding, “Our family shares the Filipino people’s grief on this sad day.” “We did not only lose a good leader, but also a member of the family,” he said. “The legacy of his presidency will always be cherished and will be forever enshrined in the hearts of our grateful nation.” Ramos was president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. He was credited for luring investments to the country by breaking up monopolies, ending the country’s long stint as the “sick man of Asia.” A graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, Ramos rose to head the national police under late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and implemented martial law. In 1986, he broke away from the Marcos regime and joined then defence secretary Juan Ponce Enrile in leading a popular uprising to overthrow the 20-year dictatorship and bring Corazon Aquino to power. During the Aquino years, he helped suppress six coup attempts and one secessionist insurrection mounted by Marcos loyalists and disgruntled junior officers. Ramos' popularity as a hero of the 1986 revolt and his image as a defender of democracy encouraged him to train his sights on the presidency. He won a narrow victory over six rivals in 1992.