Former colleagues pay tribute to Nene Pimentel

MANILA -- Former senators on Wednesday paid tribute to their colleague, former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., during necrological services held at the Senate Session Hall for the late lawmaker who passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 85.

Former Senator Joey Lina Jr. said he was very sad with the passing of the former Senate President.

“I lost a father, a teacher, and friend, That’s how sad I am,” he said in his eulogy.

But more than that, Lina said his grief comes from the realization that the country has lost a great Filipino and statesman, who championed freedom, human rights and the pursuit of excellence in local governance.

“Truly the nation lost a legend, an ideal public servant, fearless defender of democracy, a prolific speaker and writer, a great teacher, legislator and executive, a faithful husband, a doting father, a loving friend and most of all, a prayerful person and a God-fearing citizen of his beloved Philippines,” he said.

“He was my great leader who really inspired me with his patriotism, steadfastness, and integrity,” Lina said.

Former Senator and fellow human rights advocate Rene Saguisag said Pimentel was a man who embodied the Latin phrase “non sibi sed patriae.”

“That was the fix star we went by: not for self but for the country. So we have lost someone who was

totally focused on doing work hindi kapakanan pang-sarili kundi kapakanang pambayan (not for self-interest but for the welfare of the nation),” he said.

“I hope that will be passed on to those who have come after us,” Saguisag said.

For former Senator Anna Dominique Coseteng, Pimentel was her mentor and ally who had shaped her many views in life and work.

“Nene was a man of focus. He embodies the values that a nationalist and a human rights warrior espouse -- conviction even when it is not convenient, passion even when it is not expedient, statesmanship even when it is not fashionable,” Coseteng said.

Former Senator Heherson Alvarez described Pimentel as an ideologue who advocated federalism even when he was still a member of the 1971 Constitutional Convention.

“Nang magawa ang Local Government Code, kaisipan at panaginip ni Nene ang naroroon (When the Local Government Code was enacted, the ideology and dream of Nene are embodied there),” he said.

“Si Nene ay ama ng isang (Nene was the father of a ) democratization process. The sovereign will of the people, the right to the pursuit of happiness the economic freedom that is meant by true democracy has been pursued by my soulmate of mine,” Alvarez said.

For former Senator Orlando Mercado, Pimentel was a mentor who taught him how to survive in the world of politics with “your core values intact.”

He said as one of the younger politicians then, one of the earliest lessons he learned was the art of compromise.

“Politics is the art and science of making things possible. Nene gave me a clear picture on how to keep your core values sacrosanct,” he said.

“Because he knew what was right and what was wrong, he knew what was just and what was unjust. When you got to the boundaries that he had drawn, he knew how to steadfastly hold his position,” Mercado said.

The former senator also described Pimentel as a leader who had “unconventional ideas,” and a leader who was “disruptive in his innovation.”

“In a country where the population is beset by problems that are so serious -- like the gap of the rich and the poor, the existence of injustice -- it is required to have leaders who are disruptive innovators. This is the courage of Nene,” he said.

“Nene was also a humble servant-leader. He has a life that was totally dedicated to public service,” Mercado said. (PNA)