LOOK: Ex-colleagues, friends pay last respects to Nene Pimentel at Senate

MANILA, Philippines — Prominent personalities in politics, including former President Joseph Estrada and former Vice President Noli de Castro, extolled former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. during a necrological service in the Senate on Wednesday.

Former senators Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon, John Osmeña, Lorenzo Tañada, and Heherson T. Alvarez also attended the necrological service for the late senator.

Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon also arrived at the Senate for the necrological rites.

The remains of the late senator were transferred to the Senate this morning from the Heritage Park in Taguig City.

Former and current senators led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III welcomed Pimentel’s casket at the foyer of Senate building’s main entrance.

Pimentel passed away on Sunday, less than a week after he was put in an intensive care unit (ICU) last October 14. He was 85 years old.

The late senator was among the nation’s leaders who criticized the declaration of martial law under the Marcos regime. He ran for the interim national assembly under Lakas ng Bayan (Laban) with Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

He won a senatorial seat in 1987 following the EDSA People Power Revolution.

The Pimentel patriarch served as Senate President from 2000 to 2001.

He also served as majority leader and minority leader during his career in the upper chamber of Congress.

/kga