Senate honors ex-Senator Alvarez in ‘hybrid’ session

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution commending and honoring former Senator Heherson Alvarez, who succumbed to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in late April.

Senate Resolution 363 was adopted during a “hybrid” session where 15 senators were physically present while seven others participated through a teleconference.

The Senate had adopted a skeleton workforce scheme and limited the entry of officials and employees inside its premises.

Sotto and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier lamented that the Senate would not be able to accord Alvarez the proper recognition due him as a former member of the institution.

Traditionally, the Senate would hold a necrological service for the deceased senator and present his or her family with a resolution honoring him or her.

“I join the rest of the nation in mourning the passing of a respectable leader and a good friend… I had the great opportunity to learn from this reasonable and hardworking lawmaker as a neophyte senator in 1992 when I first joined this august body,” Sotto said in his sponsorship speech.

“Sonny Alvarez will always be remembered as a freedom fighter, a land reform champion, an environmental warrior, a human rights advocate, an exemplary lawmaker, an exceptional statesman, a fearless leader a dedicated public servant, a patriot and a respectable Filipino,” he added.

EDV