SENATORS MOURN LOSS OF EX-SEN. VICTOR ZIGA, ONE OF MAGNIFICENT 12

SENATORS on Monday unanimously adopted Resolution 630 conveying “profound sympathy and sincere condolences” to the family of Senator Victor Ziga, who died on Sunday, January 31 at the age of 75.

Ziga, the son of the country’s first woman senator Tecla San Andres-ziga, was on the first batch of senators when the Philippine Senate was restored after the 1986 Edsa revolt. He was best known for being part of the so-called “Magnificent 12” that voted against extending the Philippine-us bases treaty, thus ending over 80 years of permanent US basing in the country.

Introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri, the Resolution manifesting the senators’ sentiment on Ziga’s passing was adopted during Monday’s hybrid plenary session.

Senate President Sotto said: “We will miss him [Ziga] but his memory and his legacy will always remain in the halls of the Philippine Senate.”

Majority Leader Zubiri, citing the late senator’s accomplishments, recalled that Ziga was instrumental in the passage of important measures such as Republic Act (RA) 6728, or GATSPE, which provides government assistance to students and teachers in private educational institutions; Republic Act 6948, which standardizes and upgrades the benefits of military veterans and their dependents; Republic Act 6957, or the “Build-operate-transfer Law”; Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of 199; Republic Act 7395, or the “Magna Carta of Public Health Workers”; and Republic Act 7432, granting benefits and special privileges to senior citizens.

Zubiri added that Ziga also authored and co-sponsored 295 bills and resolutions, most notable of which was the remedial legislation requiring all primary and secondary schools to integrate the teaching of the dangers of drug dependence and drug abuse in their curriculum, and the bill prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, and sale of cigars and cigarettes without the warning “Smoking is dangerous to your health” printed on their labels, packs, cartons, or packages.

The majority leader recalled that Sen. Ziga rose to national prominence after winning a seat in the 1984 Batasang Pambansa elections at the age of 39, despite running under the opposition ticket. Zubiri added that as Assemblyman, the late Senator Ziga introduced legislation to establish the National Rehabilitation Center for drug addicts and increase the minimum monthly basic salaries of public school teachers.

During Ziga’s stint as senator, he served as chairman of the Committee of Public Works and Highways and as Vice-chairman of the Committees on Agriculture and Food, Public Services, and Tourism, and was member of 12 other committees.

Ziga also served as a member of the Commission on Appointments and the Senate Electoral Tribunal.

Zubiri noted that even after retiring from politics, Ziga continued to serve Filipinos who have less in life by involving himself in typhoon relief operations and civic organizations such as the free Medical Eye Specialist Mission and the Medical Mission of the Philippine General Hospital.

Zubiri added: “The passing away of a great and dedicated public servant, who had established standards of excellence in and devotion to public service, is a great loss to the nation.”