President Arroyo designated Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Conrado A. Limcaoco as acting Press Secretary on Tuesday following the death of Cerge Remonde.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said Limcaoco will temporarily take the helm of the OPS in a concurent capacity.

Remonde died of heart attack shortly before lunch yesterday. He was 51.

The President, who mourned the sudden death of Remonde, is expected to visit the official's wake at Heritage Park in Taguig City at 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Remonde's remains will be flown to Cebu on Friday and will be buried on Sunday.

Limcaoco previously served as supervising secretary of government television stations in 2007.

He was also Cabinet Officer for Provincial Events since 2004, before he was named Cabinet Officer for Presidential Engagements (COPE) from 2005 to 2006.

From 2002 to 2004, Limcaoco served as Presidential Assistant for Media and Religious Affairs with the rank of Cabinet Secretary.

The former chairman of the Laguna Lake Development Authority earned a political science degree from the Ateneo de Manila University. (Genalyn Kabiling)