Senior Citizens Rep. Datol a ‘tireless’ lawmaker, an ‘active Viber user’ – solons’ tribute

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are mourning the death of Senior Citizens Rep. Francisco Datol, who passed away Monday morning.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said despite Datol’s age, the lawmaker continued to push for the welfare of senior citizens and was very active in discussions in the lower chamber.

“Si Congressman Datol, ayaw talaga magpapigil kahit may edad na. Sabi nga nya during these times of crisis, lalo ng kailangan ng representative ng senior citizens,” Cayetano said.

(Congressman Datol would not want to be stopped despite his age. He even said that in these times of crisis, a representative of senior citizens is very much needed.)

“Kung titingnan mo, kahit anong viber group na kasama siya, parati siyang very very active,” the House Speaker added.

(If you will look at it, he’s very active in any Viber group he was in.)

Cayetano said the House is planning a memorial for members of the 18th Congress who passed away as well as frontliners who died during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero, who serves as the president of the Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. (PCFI), said Datol was a “determined advocate for the poor and marginalized.”

“As 1-PACMAN Representative, Deputy Speaker, and President of the Party-list Coalition in Congress, we will welcome the second nominee who will inevitably take the place of Congressman Datol here in Congress,” Romero said.

Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera recalled she would talk with Datol regarding bills and resolutions that will push for the welfare of senior citizens in the country.

“Masayang katrabaho si Congressman Jun Datol sa Kongreso. Ka-phonepal ko yan. Kausap ko halos araw-araw para maitulak ang mga bill at resolution para sa seniors,” Herrera said.

(It was fun working with Congressman Jun Datol in Congress. We would talk almost everyday about bills and resolutions for senior citizens.)

“Hindi ko na-feel na siya ay may edad na dahil sa enerhiyang ipinapamalas niya sa tuwing nagtatrabaho, lalo na sa komite,” the lawmaker added.

(I never felt his age because of the energy he always exerts every time we work.) [ac]