Senators, Marines pay last respects to Biazon

SOMBER HOMECOMING Pallbearers from the Philippine Marine Corps carry the casket of former Sen. Rodolfo Biazon during full military honors given to the former Marine commandant at the elite unit’s headquarters in Taguig City on Monday. Biazon, 88, who also served as Armed Forces chief of staff, died on June 12. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Former Sen. Rodolfo Biazon was showered with more tributes and accolades on Monday as his remains were brought to the Senate, where former colleagues extolled his life and trailblazing career as a legislator, military officer and family man.

“No one can question his capability, dedication to public service and loyalty to our country,” former Senate President Franklin Drilon said at the necrological rites for Biazon.

“In the battlefields where he was posted as a young military officer, he was fearless and undaunted even in the face of death.”

Biazon, who died on June 12 at the age of 88, was the first graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to be elected to the Senate in 1992. He later served as Muntinlupa City congressman at the House of Representatives before retiring from politics in 2016.

Recalling their days during the bloody military coups that failed to topple the administration of then President Corazon Aquino in 1987 and 1989, Drilon praised Biazon for his dedication in defending the country’s democratic institutions.

“His uncommon valor inspired countless young soldiers to bravely defend democracy at all costs,” he said of Biazon, a member of the PMA Class of 1961 who became the first and only member of the Philippine Marines to head the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III also praised his late colleague for his humility and commitment as a senator.

Praise from adversary

“He [was] truly a dynamic and multifaceted individual—a family man, an excellent soldier, an extraordinary legislator, freedom fighter and defender of democracy who relished his life to the fullest,” Sotto said.

Former Sen. Gringo Honasan, who led several military uprisings during Aquino’s presidency that were quelled by Biazon, said the former AFP chief had always led his troops at the forefront and never stayed behind.

“He was every adversary’s dream: He was tall. (You can see him) with just one look. Even through the crosshairs of a sniper’s scope, he was easily identifiable,” Honasan said.

“Ironically,” he added, “he was every fellow legislator’s nightmare during hearings, during plenary debates.”

DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT The casket bearing the remains of former Sen. Rodolfo Biazon arrives on Monday at the Senate, where his former colleagues in the upper chamber honored him for his contribution in crafting laws that benefited Filipinos. —RICHARD A. REYES

For former Sen. Joey Lina, Biazon had always observed proper decorum during Senate proceedings, referring to him as “a paragon of simplicity, humility and decorum.”

After the Senate, Biazon’s remains were taken to the Philippine Marine Corps headquarters in Taguig City where he was given full military honors by AFP chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino and other officials.

The Marines also hosted a Mass and necrological service at Holy Child Chapel. Biazon will be interred today at Libingan ng mga Bayani with the funeral march starting at 11 a.m.

Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Chito Rojas, Biazon’s last visitor before he passed away last week, said he had expressed a desire while still alive to “go back home” to the Marine headquarters before being brought to his final resting place.

Biazon had attended Rojas’ assumption as Marine commandant on May 8, one of his last public appearances.

“He was one of the reasons why a lot of us joined the Marine Corps. When we were cadets, he was a colonel then. He was tall, very commanding and we were curious. He wore a different uniform and carried it very well… That’s where we learned of the Marines,” Rojas said.

Biazon embodied being a “true Marine,” he added. “He’s the soldier’s soldier. He took no shortcuts and his family knows that. So every time there was an activity at the Marines, he tried his best to attend.” INQ