Senate to honor late Pimentel

Sen. Dick Gordon: Senator Pimentel was an elder statesman with a wide breadth of experience in the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government.

Senators will give their final respect to former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. on Wednesday.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III will lead the chamber in honoring Pimentel by presenting a resolution to the family of the late lawmaker with his son, incumbent Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, expected to accept it. The younger Pimentel will also give a response on behalf of their family.

Eulogies for Pimentel will be delivered by Sotto, Senator Pia Cayetano and former Senators Heherson Alvarez, Anna Dominique Coseteng and Jose Lina Jr.

Sotto together with Senate Secretary Myra Villarica and Sergeant-at-arms Rene Samonte along with the officials and employees will welcome the remains of the late Senator and will escort him to the Session Hall.

In a message sent to reporters, Senator Koko announced that his father died at 5 a.m. in the morning on Sunday.

“Our beloved Tatay Nene has joined his Creator at 5 am today Oct 20, 2019. We thank all those who have been a part of his life. We ask for prayers for the repose of Tatay Nene’s soul. Thank you to all,” the lawmaker’s Facebook post read.

Nene succumbed to lymphoma, a form of cancer that spread throughout his body and affected his organs.

According to Senator Koko, it was his father’s heart that gave up.

The Senate has been flying the Philippine flag at half-mast since Sunday to give respect to the former Senate president.

Meanwhile, colleagues have expressed condolence for the passing of the Pimentel Jr. at the age of 85.

From Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go:

I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr. early this morning. I offer my deepest and sincerest condolences to the bereaved family, particularly to his son and my colleague in the Senate, Sen. Koko.

Tatay Nene, as he is fondly called, was a fellow Mindanaoan and a staunch ally in fighting for advocacies he shared with Tatay Digong even before President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration until now.

As one of the pillars of PDP-Laban, we are eternally grateful for his wisdom and support for this administration, especially during the 2016 and 2019 elections.

Sen. Nene was a visionary, democracy leader and a hard working legislator. Acknowledged as the father of local autonomy, he championed the cause of local governance and had enormously contributed in shaping what local government units possess now. The Local Government Code of 1991 is a testament to his remarkable contributions.

His death may leave us with a sad void and profound loss to his family and to our country he cared so much about. But his legacy shall forever be remembered and shall always guide us in shaping the destiny of our people.

I, together with a grateful nation, pray that he may rest in eternal peace.

We condole with the family of Senator Nene Pimentel on his passing and join the many who pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

Senator Pimentel was an elder statesman with a wide breadth of experience in the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government.

He was committed to whatever causes he chose to advocate in his lifetime and persevered in pursuing them. Through his years as delegate of the Constitutional Convention, mayor, assemblyman, senator, and Senate President, he was a dedicated public servant, and even in retirement, continued to express his views on issues that mattered to him and that he believed were in the public interest.

From House Deputy Speaker and CIBAC Party-list Rep. Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva:

More than the Father of Local Government Code of 1991, he is a good friend. Patriotic and brilliant, Senator A\quilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr. was among the few inspirations that a genuine statesman can have. Who can ever forget? He was imprisoned four times and was offered to be released if he will give up what he is fighting for.

But he stood his ground and maintained his integrity. He continued fighting for freedom in our country even on the streets.

He has fought the battle and finished the race. May his contribution to our democracy be put not into waste but instead, will continue to be a seed of hope and encouragement for the next generations to come. Thank you for a well-lived life and a principled existence.

Our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones.