‘Ayaw umuwi?’ Pong Biazon’s colleagues poke fun at his long, winding questions
DEPARTURE HONORS FOR BIAZON: Members of the Philippine Marines carry the casket bearing the remains of former Sen. Rodolfo G. Biazon out of the Senate building after the necrological service held in his honor Monday, June 19, 2023. Former colleagues in the Senate led by Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri took turns in paying tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of the late senator, who also served as Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff and Muntinlupa Representative. Biazon passed away on Independence Day June 12, 2023 at the age of 88. He served as senator in the 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Congresses. (Senate PRIB Photos)
MANILA, Philippines — While Senator Rodolfo Biazon was much loved and respected in Senate, his former colleagues also could not help but remember, jokingly, how the late lawmaker notoriously spent a long, long time engaging them in debates and interpellations during sessions.
At the necrological service hosted by the Senate on Monday, fellow ex-military officer and former senator Gregorio Honasan talked about his experiences with Biazon.
He recalled with amusement that Biazon was pestering other lawmakers for extended periods of time, unmindful that they were already very tired.
“He was every adversary’s dream: Matangkad, isang tingin mo lang. (Tall. Just one look.). Even through the crosshairs of a sniper’s scope, ang daling ma-identify,” Honasan said.
(He was easily identifiable.)
“He was always in command. He was always in front. Never from the rear,” he noted.
“Ironically, he was every fellow legislator’s nightmare during hearings, during plenary debates!” Honasan admitted, cheerfully looking back at Biazon’s memories.
According to Honasan, lawmakers would be irritated at Biazon for asking too many questions.
“Ang kulit! Ang tagal magtanong. Maiinis ka sa kanya pero mas maiinis ka sa sarili mo, lalo na ‘pag ‘di mo alam ‘yung sagot!” Honasan narrated.
(An eager beaver! He takes a long time asking questions. You would be irritated with him, but you would be more irritated with yourself, especially when you don’t know the answer to the question!)
“Kung hindi ka niya kayang daanin sa logic, sa reason, papagurin ka niya!” he had observed.
(If he could not get through to you by logic, by reason, he would tire you out!)
“Pag nilubayan ka na ni Manong Pong sa debate, sa interpellation, para kang gulay. Gusto mo nang mamatay!” Honasan reminisced.
(Once Manong Pong is through with you in a debate, in an interpellation, you’re like a vegetable. You’d want to die!)
HONASAN SALUTES LIFE OF FELLOW ‘OLD WARRIOR’: Former Senator Gregorio Honasan II honors the legacy of the late Senator Rodolfo Biazon, his fellow soldier and legislator who died on June 12, 2023. In his tribute during Biazon’s necrological service at the Senate on Monday, June 19, 2023, Honasan recalled how Biazon became a “fellow legislator’s nightmare” because of how he performed his duties and how he showed off his intellect and untiring dedication during plenary debates and interpellations. “We realized that 24/7 is not enough for [Biazon] to explain and share what was in his heart and mind as a soldier who perpetually dreamt of peace, unity and the prosperity that we deserve,” Honasan added. Despite being a decorated soldier and lawmaker, Honasan also said he is certain that Biazon loved his family immensely and that being a husband, father, and grandfather was the late senator’s “most meaningful and challenging role.” (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
Senator Jinggoy Estrada confirmed this sentiment.
Estrada, as a former Senate president pro tempore, talked about one time when Biazon and former senator Richard Gordon stood up to debate.
“During the time of Senate president Manny Villar and Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, I used to preside over the Senate proceedings,” he told the story.
“At pag tumayo na si Senator Gordon at nagtaas ng kamay si Senator Pong, sabi ko, ‘Patay na ito. Dalawang oras akong maghihintay dito!” Estrada chuckled.
(Once Senator Gordon stood up and Senator Pong raised his hand, I would tell myself, ‘This is dead. I’d wait for two hours here!’)
“But he talked with sense. A lot of sense of humor,” Estrada quickly clarified.
“That’s why I learned a lot from him. And I’m sure, my former colleagues here in the Senate during that time learned a lot from him (too),” Estrada said.
“I was not bored kahit isang oras sila mag-debate ni Senator Gordon (even if he and Gordon would debate for an hour),” the lawmaker emphasized.
A TRUE SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE: Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada joins his colleagues in paying respect to the late Senator Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon who, he said, was guided by a moral compass that demanded accountability, transparency and fairness in his tenure in the chamber. Estrada said Biazon was a “remarkable” individual who believed in the power of unity and collaboration, alliances and the need to cross party lines to achieve meaningful progress for the nation. “Beyond the titles and the accolades, he was a true servant of the people. Senator Pong was guided by a moral compass that demanded accountability, transparency and fairness,” Estrada said during Monday’s necrological service for Biazon on June 19, 2023. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
Honasan said he and former Senate president Vicente Sotto III had joked that maybe, Biazon deliberately asked long questions because he did not want to go home early and face the wrath of his wife, Monserrat ‘Monchie’ Biazon.”
Turning to Biazon’s wife, the former legislator said, “Ma’am Monchie, please don’t take this in the wrong light. May biruan sa amin nina Senate president Tito (Sotto).”
(There is a running joke between me and Senate president Tito.)
“Sabi namin, ‘Ba’t ang tagal magtanong ni Manong Pong? Siguro ayaw umuwi nang maaga dahil ‘pag dating niya, madaling araw, tatanungin siya ni Ma’am Monchie, ‘Ba’t ngayon ka lang eh lumamig na ‘yong ulam?” Honasan disclosed.
(We said, ‘Why does it take so long Manong Pong to ask questions? Maybe he doesn’t want to go home early because when he would arrive home, at dawn, Ma’am Monchie would ask, ‘Why are you going home just now when the dish had become cold?’)
“Until we realized that 24/7 was not enough for him to explain and share what was in his heart and mind… a soldier, who perpetually dreamt of peace, unity, and the prosperity that we deserve,” Honasan concluded.
Earlier, Sotto and former senator Joey Lina recounted that they had witnessed how hardworking and humble Biazon was.
This, despite him being a well-decorated military official and a former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff.
Lina said Biazon would consult him on political decisions, despite the latter being years ahead of him.
A WARRIOR AND A STATESMAN: “An officer and a gentleman, a warrior and a statesman.” This was how former Senator Joey Lina described the late Senator Rodolfo Biazon during the necrological service Monday, June 19, 2023 at the Senate plenary hall. Lina, who served together with Biazon during the 9th Congress (1992 – 1995), said “Pong,” as the late senator was fondly called, “was the epitome of humility, simplicity and decorum.” He said although Biazon was older than him, the former military chief still found it necessary to seek counsel when he first entered politics and considered him, even when he was then the youngest senator, as a senior politician. “He quickly realized the wisdom of having to shed off the strict demeanor he used to exhibit as a military man and give way to more expression of compassion, understanding, tenderness, and other pleasing traits of an exemplary public servant to be able to connect more effectively with the people,” Lina said. “For being a paragon of humility, simplicity, decorum and honor, there is no doubt that Senator Pong was truly an outstanding Filipino who will be sorely missed,” he added. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
Biazon died on June 12 — on Independence Day — due to pneumonia.
Prior to his hospitalization, he was was battling lung cancer.
Former Senator Pong was 88.
SOTTO EXTOLS BIAZON’S LIFE: Former Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III extols the life and achievements of the late Senator Rodolfo ‘Pong” Biazon during the necrological service Monday, June 19, 2023 at the Senate plenary hall. “It has been said that the best speech delivered in services, such as what we have today, does not emanate from the speakers, but from the deed of the person being honored… With all that Senator Pong Biazon had accomplished in this earthly life, it is undeniable that he is an inspirational man and his unwavering determination is unmatched. He had achieved greatness despite the obstacles that he faced throughout his life,” Sotto said. “He is truly a dynamic, multifaceted individual, and a family man, an excellent soldier, an extraordinary legislator, freedom fighter, and defender of democracy,” he added. Sotto and Biazon served together as senator during the 9th, 11th and 12th Congresses. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
DEPARTURE HONORS FOR BIAZON: Members of the Philippine Marines carry the casket bearing the remains of former Sen. Rodolfo G. Biazon out of the Senate building after the necrological service held in his honor Monday, June 19, 2023. Former colleagues in the Senate led by Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri took turns in paying tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of the late senator, who also served as Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff and Muntinlupa representative. Biazon died on Independence Day June 12, 2023 at the age of 88. He served as senator in the 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Congresses. (Senate PRIB Photos)
DEPARTURE HONORS FOR FORMER SENATOR RODOLFO “PONG” BIAZON
DEPARTURE HONORS FOR FORMER SENATOR RODOLFO “PONG” BIAZON
RELATED STORIES:
Former Senator Rodolfo ‘Pong’ Biazon dies
Rodolfo Biazon, a warrior and a gentleman; 88
‘Great leader, statesman:’ PNP mourns death of former Senator Biazon
‘Patriot’: DND, AFP mourn death of former chief Biazon
