MANILA, Philippines — The hearings on COVID-19 updates scheduled by the Senate committee of the whole on Monday next week will be pushed back to give way for the chamber to honor one of its former member, former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta.
Aquino-Oreta, sister of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., passed away at age of 75, his son, Malabon Mayor Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta announced Friday.
When a former senator passes away, the Senate traditionally just opens and then immediately closes the session.
“(Agenda on) Monday will be just to pass a (resolution) honoring the late Senator Tessie Aquino, then we close right after as tradition dictates,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri told reporters in a message.
Tributes from incumbent senators poured in once news of her death broke out.
“It is with profound sadness that my wife, Kate, and I join the country in mourning the loss of Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta. The country lost a dedicated public servant who was also an advocate of education and employment,” Gordon said in a statement.
“Not only did we share the same passion for promoting the welfare of our country’s teachers because of our belief that having good teachers is the key to a better future for our country, but Tessie was also a very close friend to us,” he added.
Senator Francis Pangilinan also expressed his condolences to the family of Aquino-Oreta.
“Saktong-sakto na TAO ang tawag kay Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta. May malasakit, mababang-loob, at may puso, lalo na sa kanyang adbokasyang edukasyon,” he said in a statement.
(It very suitable for people to call Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta TAO. She is caring, down to earth and does thing wholeheartedly, especially in advocating for education.)
“Noong nasa Senado siya, tiniyak niyang ipatupad ang mga batas na magbibigay sa mga kabataan ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng dekalidad na edukasyon at magandang kinabukasan,” he added.
(When she was in the Senate, she ensured the passage of laws that would give Filipino children quality education and a bright future).
Postponed COVID-19 hearings
This would be the second time that hearings on updates regarding COVID-19 have been deferred.
After officials from the executive department asked for a postponement, citing their busy schedule, the Senate scheduled to convene itself into a committee of the whole for three days starting Monday next week to tackle the status of the government’s COVID-19 response.
“We moved up a day lahat nang committee of the whole hearings. So yung (the) schedule on Monday will be moved to Tuesday and so on. Tuloy lang (It will be held) ’till Thursday,” Zubiri told reporters.