Palace, 2016 hopefuls convey condolences to Señeres kin

Malacañang and some politicians gunning for posts in the May elections on Monday have offered their condolences to the family of former ambassador and OFW Family Club party-list representative Roy Señeres Sr. who died due to cardiac arrest due to complications brought by diabetes.

In a statement, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. extolled Señeres’ contributions to the labor sector, having served as chairman of the National Labor Relations Commission from 2000 to 2005 and ambassador to United Arab Emirates from 1994 to 1998.

“Nakikiramay kami sa kanyang pamilya. Siya ay nagtaguyod sa kapakanan ng mga manggagawa bilang tagapangulo ng NLRC at nang italaga siya sa Gitnang Silangan bilang Ambassador,” Coloma said.

Presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and vice presidential hopeful Senator Francis Escudero also expressed their condolences to the family of the late lawmaker.

Duterte said that he and Señeres, who is his fraternity brother in Lex Talionis Fraternitas, share a common stance against contractualization.

“I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Rep. Señeres as they mourn over his untimely death. We are with you in this time of grief and difficult time,” Duterte said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Escudero said that the death of the late lawmaker is a “big loss” to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.

“I am deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden demise of Ambassador Roy Señeres. He is a big loss to the OFWs and their families, whose causes and concerns he had fought for. Our deepest condolences to his family. I appeal to our people to pray for the eternal repose of Ambassador Señeres, as well as for strength for his loved ones during this difficult time,” the senator said.

Señeres was also appointed as a labor attaché in Washington D.C. in 1990 to 1993.

Initially eyeing the presidency, Señeres withdrew his candidacy on Friday due to health reasons, leaving the presidential race into a five-way derby.

He was then pushing for a pro-OFW platform. JE