Young, old, ailing senators recount memories of Jovy

SOME of them may be ailing and gray, but the colleagues of former Senate President Jovito Salonga had no trouble summoning memories about him during a necrological service held at the Senate Tuesday.

The Senate on Tuesday paid tribute to Salonga who passed away on March 10 at the age of 95. The first chair of the Presidential Commission on Good Government served as Senate President from 1987 to 1991.

“The work goes on, the cause endures, the hopes still live and the dream shall never die. Uncle Jovy shall never die,” former Sen. Rene Saguisag declared in a quivering voice.

Saguisag, who was on a wheelchair, said it was Salonga who convinced him to get into politics despite his desire to remain a “common lawyer.”

They were together in the 8th Congress which voted against the continued stay of US military bases in the country on Sept.16, 1991, Saguisag added.

Among Salonga’s colleagues who attended the necrological rites were former Senators Edgardo Angara, Wigberto Tañada, Leticia Shahani, Saturnina Rasul, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Teofisto Guingona Jr., Ernesto Maceda Jr., Jose Lina, Vic Ziga, Alfredo Lim and Heherson Alvarez.

Also present was Rodolfo Biazon, a former senator and now Muntinlupa representative.

Meaningful life

Salonga lived a “meaningful and purposeful life” and was a “man of deep faith” who practiced law in the dark days of martial law, Tañada said, adding that Salonga was deposed as Senate President a few months after leading the historic vote against the US bases.

Although he lost the 1992 presidential race to Fidel Ramos, Salonga continued to serve as a “citizen of conscience” when he established groups such as Kilosbayan, Tañada said.

During his term, the Senate was “generally tranquil” like its leader, Angara recalled of Salonga.

FINAL FAREWELL Friends and colleagues fill the Senate hall to bid former Senate President Jovito Salonga farewell on Tuesday. Among those who paid their last respects were Senator Loren Legarda, former Senators Leticia Shahani, Rene Saguisag (in wheelchair), Heherson Alvarez, Ernesto Maceda, Joey Lina, Alfredo Lim and Teofisto Guingona. Marianne Bermudez

He was an “inspirational and very humble leader” under whose leadership the health and education system in the country had been strengthened, Angara added.

Sen. Loren Legarda, who said she never got a chance to serve under Salonga’s leadership, recounted how she became close to him as a journalist and later, as a senator.

 ‘Country before self’

She consulted Salonga when the Senate tackled the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement. She subsequently voted against the treaty in the Senate. Legarda said, adding that Salonga should also be credited for her advocacy on the environment.

In his eulogy, Senate President Franklin Drilon summed up Salonga’s life by quoting a line from the movie on Gen. Antonio Luna. The late official lived the words, “Bayan muna bago sarili (country before self),”  he added.

“He set the standard for public service by leading a simple life marked by honor, humility and integrity,” the Senate President said of Salonga.

Drilon also credited Salonga for recruiting him to the Liberal Party, where he is now its vice chair.

“To belong to the same institution and political party with this giant of a man is indeed a great honor,” he added.

Drilon led the senators in presenting to Salonga’s heirs Senate Resolution No. 118 “expressing the profound sympathy and sincere condolence(s) of the Senate to a great statesman.”

Salonga’s son Esteban spoke on behalf of his siblings and their families and profusely thanked the Senate for honoring his father.

“Thank you for giving us an opportunity to hear wonderful stories (about) our father,” said the younger Salonga.