Drilon: Our workers lost a champion with Herrera’s death

Even in his death, former Senator and labor leader Ernesto Herrera will continue to be an inspiration, according to Senate President Franklin Drilon.

Drilon on Friday said he joins the nation in mourning the death of Herrera.

“As a union leader and as Senator, Boy Herrera was a tireless crusader for the welfare of the Filipino worker,” Drilon said in a statement.

He also said that in the decades that he had known Herrera, he had seen how committed he was in fighting for the rights and welfare of workers.

“He was a giant of Philippine labor. Our country’s workers have lost a champion,” he said.

“I am proud to have worked and shared the Senate floor with such a principled and distinguished public servant. He will remain an inspiration to all of us,” he added.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also condoled with Herrera’s family, as he hailed his accomplishments.

“We have lost a strong pillar of the labor sector, who took it as his mission in life to champion the causes, rights and welfare of Filipino workers. He was also a tireless and courageous crusader against the drug menace,” Marcos said in a statement.

He said the country is indebted to Herrera and owe it to him to continue his cause of improving the situation of Filipino workers.

Herrera, 73, passed away on Thursday after suffering a mild stroke.

He was a Senator from 1987 to 1998 and was also Bohol representative from 1998 to 2001.