Ex-senator Ziga dies at 75

LEGAZPI CITY –– Former senator Victor Ziga, who was known for his part in the 1986 EDSA People Power which ousted former dictator Ferdinand Marcos and catapulted Corazon Aquino to the presidency, passed away on Sunday afternoon due to heart and multi-organ failure at the St. Luke’s Hospital, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. He was 75.

His son Albay Board Member Victor Ziga Jr. said the former senator’s remains would be laid at the Loyola Memorial Chapel in Sucat, Parañaque, to be viewed for five days, and later cremated.

Vic Jr., in a phone interview Monday, said the Senate staff is still working out details for holding necrological services at the Senate Hall this week.

The Bicol senator was a former Liberal Party stalwart who, together with other party leaders, joined the street parliament during the dark days of the Marcos Martial Law regime.

Ziga supported Corazon, the widow of former senator and martyr Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, to the presidency.

The Bicol lawmaker was the son of former senator Tecla San Andres Ziga, the first female senator in the Philippines and the first woman in the country to top the bar examination, and Venancio Ziga, a former governor of Albay province.

He is survived by his wife Carmen and children Christian, Diane, Caroline, Vic Jr., Rick, Brian, and Mayte.

Before being elected senator, he served as an assemblyman, cabinet minister, Albay governor, and board of director of the San Miguel Corporation.

LZB