Incumbent and former senators will pay tribute to former Senate President Nene Pimentel Jr. in a necrological service tomorrow.
The Senate has been flying the Philippine flag at half-mast to mourn the passing of Pimentel, who succumbed to lymphoma Sunday at the age of 85.
Pimentel’s remains will be brought to the Senate tomorrow morning for the necrological service at the session hall.
Expected to deliver eulogies for the late senator are Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Pia Cayetano, and former Senators Heherson Alvarez, Anna Dominique Coseteng, and Jose Lina Jr., among others.
A resolution expressing the Senate’s sympathy and condolence will also be presented to Pimentel’s family.
Pimentel led the Senate from 2000 to 2001.
But before leading the Senate, he was already known as a democracy champion and one of the opposition leaders who fought the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos.
Pimentel also co-founded the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Partylist congressmen honored Pimentel Jr. with tributes that cited him for his deep sense of nationalism and exceptional statesmanship.
House Deputy Speaker Eddie C. Villanueva (CIBAC party-list), House Deputy Minority Leader Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna), Reps. Amihilda Sangcopan (Anak Mindanao), Jericho Nograles (PBA partylist), and Argel Cabatbat (Magsasaka) praised Pimentel for his outstanding contributions to the country’s development.
Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas said Filipinos owe Pimentel “an immense debt of gratitude.”
“If we can achieve even just a fraction of what he has accomplished in his lifetime, our service would be tribute to his legacy. His name will forever be remembered in Philippine public service history,” said Vargas, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.
House Deputy Speaker and 1 Pacman partytlist Rep. Michael Romero, president of the 54-member Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc., had earlier said the PCFI is joining the nation in mourning the passing of Pimentel whom he described as a “true modern day Filipino hero.” (Vanne Terrazola and Ben Rosario)
