‘He was a fighter’: Senators mourn passing of Alvarez

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Monday mourned the passing of former Senator Heherson Alvarez, who succumbed to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a message to reporters, Senate President Vicente Sotto III remembered Alvarez as a “fighter.”

“It grieves me to learn of that news. He was a fighter!” he said.

“It was an honor for me to have served with him in the 9th Congress. Marami din akong natutunan sa kanya (I also learned a lot from him),” Sotto added.

The Senate president also lamented that members of Congress would not be able to give Alvarez the proper recognition.

“Given that his passing comes during this time when the country is gripped by this infectious, fatal virus and a necrological ceremony cannot possibly be held,” he said.

“To his family, especially to his wife Cecille and his two children, may you find solace in the thought that he is now free of any suffering, and is now peacefully watching over you as you continue your life journeys,” Sotto added.

“His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of the people, and his name will forever be etched in our country’s rich history,” he further said.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the upper chamber of Congress “lost another pillar of its rich history.”

“Senator Heherson Alvarez was the author of many of the country’s environmental laws as well as one of our most ardent fighters against climate change,” Zubiri said in a statement.

“Senator Alvarez would always touch base with me to discuss environmental issues during the deliberation of bills and even the budget policies that could affect the environment,” he added.

Zubiri said Alvarez was also known as an advocate of human rights and had stood on the Senate floor “defending our basic human rights embodied in our Constitution.”

“The saddest part is that we will not be able to properly honor him befitting an honorable statesman due to the COVID-19 protocols which prevent us from doing so,” he lamented.

But once session resumes on May 4, Zubiri said senators will sponsor and adopt a resolution honoring the late lawmaker.

“Let us not forget such a great environmentalist and climate change advocate for all of time,” he added.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, said Alvarez’ contributions to the country “will never be forgotten.”

My deepest condolences to the family of former Senator Heherson Alvarez. Senator Alvarez pushed for environmental protection during his tenure in the @senatePH. His contributions to the country will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/gtBkT0vhz1

— Win Gatchalian (@WinGatchalian74) April 20, 2020

“My deepest condolences to the family of former Senator Heherson Alvarez. Senator Alvarez pushed for environmental protection during his tenure in the (Senate),” Gatchalian said in a tweet.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto described Alvarez as someone who possessed a “gift of gab and the wisdom that went with it.”

“He crafted policies, defended these on the floor and interpellated in plenary with the skill of a seasoned parliamentarian and the undiminished passion of a patriot,” Recto said in a statement.

He said Alvarez had a “soft heart” for the people and “spent a lifetime championing their rights and freedoms.”

“He spent his last years representing one client – Mother Earth – so that our grandchildren will have clean air, safe water, blue skies,” Recto said.

“He was no longer a politician with the next election in mind, but a statesman concerned about the next generation,” he added.

The former senator, along with his wife Cecile, was reported to have COVID-19 last March.

They were said to be in “critical condition.”

Alvarez was a staunch supporter of former president Corazon Aquino, and was a fierce critic of the Marcos regime.

He ran as a senator when Mrs. Aquino ran for president against Marcos.

Alvarez also previously served as congressman of Isabela province. He also headed the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources simultaneously, before retiring from public service.

EDV