Cesar E.A. Virata, who served as prime minister and finance minister for most of the Martial Law period, passed away Friday, his family said in a statement.

The 95-year-old Virata, who remained active in banking circles, died of ''natural causes''. He was vice chair of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

Virata was secretary of finance from 1970 to 1986 and prime minister from 1981 to 1986.

He played ''a central role in shaping Philippine economic policy and international financial relations over two decades,'' a family statement said.

The Makati Business Club where Virata was a trustee from 1990 to 2003 said Virata '' was known to be progressive leader who placed importance in technological advancement and economic development to achieve social progress during his time.''

Former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said in his Facebook page that Virata ''bore the scars of years spent fighting the good fight, and yet was never broken, his passion for public service undimmed.'' PHS