Senate honors LJM for service to nation in the field of journalism

LJM HONORED Senate President Franklin Drilon presents a copy of a resolution expressing the Senate’s sympathy to the family of the late Inquirer editor in chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc at the upper chamber’s session hall in Pasay City. Present are (from left): son Dr. Nikko Magsanoc with wife Gina Bengzon-Magsanoc; granddaughters Monica, Mica and Maysa; Sen. Loren Legarda; granddaughter Ariana; husband Dr. Carlos Magsanoc; daughter Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala; Drilon; and son-in-law Dondi Alikpala. RICHARD A. REYES

AS NATURAL as breathing—that was how the family of Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc described her journalistic work when the Senate Monday honored the late Philippine Daily Inquirer editor in chief.

The Senate adopted three resolutions condoling with the Magsanoc family and honoring her work in journalism.

Senate President Franklin Drilon presented to the family the three resolutions—authored by him, Sen. Loren Legarda and Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III—at the resumption of the session.

The resolutions expressed the chamber’s sympathy and condolence on the death of Magsanoc, who passed away on Christmas Eve.

The resolutions also honored and remembered Magsanoc for her “lifelong service to the nation” in the field of journalism and “invaluable service” to the people.

Drilon suspended the session to present the resolutions to the Magsanoc family after these were adopted by the chamber.

On hand to accept the resolutions were Magsanoc’s husband Dr. Carlitos, daughter Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala and the grandchildren.

Senators, led by Drilon, walked over to the family to condole with them on their loss.

Sen. Pia Cayetano was seen hugging Alikpala at the session hall. Sen. Grace Poe also went over to the family to express her sympathy.

Speaking for the family, Alikpala thanked the Senate “for honoring my mom the way they did.”

“They recognized her contributions to the country. It’s not something she would want to be recognized for but she did it as natural as breathing, the work she did,” Alikpala said. ‘’But the work she did is really no small feat in our eyes and I’m glad they took notice because she really deserves it.”

“She is a true patriot of the country, an unsung hero,” Alikpala said.

She said her mother was not the type to “celebrate or bask in stuff like this.”

Alikpala said her mother “is an instrument of love and service for her first love, Jesus Christ.”

“That is what it’s all about. That’s the bottom line for her,” she said.

Magsanoc was one of the founders of the Inquirer.