Lawmakers honor late statesman Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel

MANILA, Philippines — Three more lawmakers on Monday paid tribute to the late former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., whom they described as a “legendary statesman,”

Pimentel passed away last Sunday at 5 a.m., less than a week after he was admitted to the intensive care unit last October 14. He was 85.

READ: Former Senate President Nene Pimentel passes away

Deputy Speaker and CIBAC party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva described Pimentel as “patriotic and brilliant” and “among the few inspirations that a genuine statesman can have.”

He recalled how Pimentel was imprisoned four times and stood his ground and maintained his integrity even though he was offered to be released.

“He continued fighting for freedom in our country, even on the streets. He has fought the battle and finished the race,” Villanueva said in a statement.

“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,” he added.

Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr., meanwhile, said Pimentel was a lawmaker “whose contributions to Philippine legislation helped rebuild our democracy following the Edsa revolution.”

“He was one of the few truly outstanding Mindanao-born leaders on the national stage, a public servant who stood by his principles regardless of whether he was in the Majority or the Minority––a statesman whose actions always reflected patriotism, not partisanship,” Abante said in a separate statement.

Magsasaka party-list Rep. Argel Cabatbat said Pimentel inspired him to “pursue a life of service for our country.”

He described the late Senate President as a “statesman, a principled leader, and an advocate for social justice and freedom.”

“As a young kid, he was one of those who shaped my principles in leadership – standing up for the poor and marginalized, speaking truth to power, and choosing principles over wealth and alliances,” Cabatbat said.

“We join the rest of the country in mourning, and we will work tirelessly in the hopes that more of our leaders emulate the virtues of Ka Nene Pimentel,” he added./gsg

READ: LIST: Schedule of wake of former Senate President Nene Pimentel