Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel Jr., champion of democracy, dies at 85
Democracy stalwart and former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., who is also known as the father of the Local Government Code, died on Sunday morning. He was 85.
Pimentel died at 5 a.m. after battling lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system, according to Pimentel’s el
dest son, Senator Koko Pimentel.
“Our beloved Tatay Nene has joined his Creator at 5 a.m. today, Oct. 20, 2019. We thank all those who have been part of his life. We ask for prayers for the repose of Tatay Nene’s soul. Thank you to all,” Sen. Koko said on Twitter.
The elder Pimentel had more than 50 years of experience in governance and politics, having served the Senate for three terms – 1987 to 1992, 1998 to 2004, 2004 to 2010. He was Senate president, minority floor leader, and majority floor leader of the Upper Chamber.
He is also the founder of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino– Lakas ng Bayan, the political party of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Half-mast
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año described Pimentel as one of the country’s greatest political figures.
“Even if he is no longer with us, this department will continue his advocacy for change and political reform through our program for constitutional reform (CORE),’’ Año said.
“In this trying time, we ask the Filipino people to offer prayers for the soul of former Senator Nene Pimentel. We also ask all Local Government Units nationwide to remember him in your activities as we commemorate Local Government Month and urge them to place your flags at half-mast as a sign of respect for this great advocate of local autonomy and empowerment,’’ he added.
In 2018, President Duterte appointed Pimentel, one of the prime movers of federalism, as one of the 25 members of the Consultative Committee on amending the 1987 Constitution.
Pimentel, a political firebrand who had fashioned some of the most pioneering laws that shaped Philippine history, principally authored Republic Act 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991.
Some of the laws he authored were the Cooperative Code, the Philippine Sports Commission Act, the Act Creating the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act, the Generic Drugs Act, and the Act Establishing the Philippine Police under a re-organized Department the of Interior and Local Government. The lawmaker founded the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) in 1982 to oppose the then-ruling Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) of Ferdinand Marcos.
His political career ended nine years ago, after leading the Senate during the impeachment trial of then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Instead of retiring, Pimentel became one of the earliest proponents of federalism in the country, devoting his remaining years going on lecture circuits about the federal principle.
Champion of democracy
Malacañang expressed its condolences to the family of the late Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., saying the departed lawmaker will forever be part of the country’s history as an icon who championed democracy.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace was one with the country in mourning the death of the late Senate president.
“Today is a sad day for the nation. The Palace joins the Filipino people in mourning the demise of former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and expressing condolences to his family, loved ones, colleagues, and friends,” he said.
“Our people thank former Senator Pimentel for his long, fearless, and principled track record of public service. He will forever be etched in our history as a giant among his peers who championed democracy and electoral reform and a visionary who espoused devolution of powers and strong local governance,” he added.
Panelo said the Duterte administration is grateful for Pimentel for taking on the task to review the 1987 Constitution.
“The Duterte Administration is grateful to the elder Pimentel for joining the current government in his capacity as one of the members of the Consultative Committee (ConCom) tasked by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to review the 1987 Constitution and draft a new charter that would pave the way for a federal form of government,” he said.
“As the acknowledged Father of the Local Government Code, former Senator Pimentel gave his wisdom and lent his voice to the need to empower local governments,” he added.
Vice President and opposition leader Leni Robredo said Pimentel’s death is like the passing of an era. He was one of the last true statesman.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Pimentel was one of his inspirations when he entered politics.
“He is a true Mindanaoan and a close friend of the family. Manong Nene was an inspiration when I ventured into politics. We mourn the passing of a champion of democracy and human rights, but we should all be comforted with the thought that Manong Nene’s accomplishments as public servant will continue to guide and inspire us and the many generations to come,” he said.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Pimentel was an inspiring statesman who, throughout his career, had been a freedom fighter and a proponent of democracy.
“He was an inspiration to many, making a difference not only through legislation but later on through his advocacy, such as federalism. Senator Pimentel was a true public servant,” he said.
Federalism dream
The defunct Consultative Committee (ConCom) for charter change on Sunday vowed to continue pushing for a shift to federalism as it mourned the passing of one of its members, former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel.
“We, the members and staff of the Concom, are honored and privileged to have worked with him in the service of the nation,” it added.
“Rest assured that we shall not tire in carrying on your dream of a federal Philippines, and carrying it through. You have left us with a great burden, but we will soldier on – with your guidance and inspiration,” it added.
ConCom Chairman and former Chief Justice Reynato Puno said promoting federalism will be the expert panel’s best tribute to their colleague.
Puno bared that members of the ConCom are scheduled to visit Cagayan de Oro, Pimentel’s hometown, to promote federalism.
ConCom spokesman Ding Generoso said that among Pimentel’s last acts as a public servant was signing the ConCom draft Bayanihan Federalism Constitution on July 3, 2018. (Reports from Jules Vivas, Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos, Raymund F. Antonio, and PNA)