Veteran radio broadcaster Joe Taruc. Courtesy of DZRH website

MANILA—Veteran radio broadcaster Joe Taruc passed away on Saturday, his son Jay confirmed.

Joe died in his sleep early Saturday morning, said Jay, also a broadcast journalist. Joe Taruc was 70.

At the time this story was posted, the Taruc family hadn't yet announced details of the patriarch's wake and interment.

Considered a pillar of the broadcast industry for more than 4 decades, Taruc was among iconic journalists who were on the air from the Marcos dictatorship until his death.

Born on September 17, 1947, Jose Malgapo Taruc graduated from Divina Pastora Academy High School in 1964 and finished his Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree at Jose Rizal College.

But he deviated from an accountancy job and instead pursued a career in journalism, working in the country's biggest networks.

In a statement from the Presidential Communications Operations Office and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, they referred to "Manong Joe" as "an institution in the radio broadcast industry" and "he will be missed."

Several officials expressed their condolences to Taruc's family through social media, among them Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and senators Sonny Angara and Joel Villanueva.

RIP Manong Joe Taruc, an institution in d broadcast industry. As someone undergoing dialysis he supported our free dialysis bill @dzrhnews — Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) September 30, 2017

Rest in Peace Tito Joe Taruc 🙏 We will surely miss you! Condolences to the family & loved ones. #legend #icon #Inspiration — Joel Villanueva (@senatorjoelv) September 30, 2017

In a statement, Senator Grace Poe called Taruc "the voice of the truth."

"Ang kanyang matalim na komentaryo at malinaw na pag-uulat ang sandigan ng paniniwala ng ating mga kababayan. Ang kanyang pagpanaw ay mag-iiwan ng malaking kahungkagan sa pamamahayag sa himpapawid," she said.

"Sana'y magsilbing inspirasyon sa mga mamamahayag ng kasalukuyan at hinaharap si Manong Joe. Nakikiramay po kami sa kanyang naulilang pamilya at mga tagapakinig sa buong bansa."

Taruc is survived by his 4 children.