Eddiegul saddened by Sen. Herrera's passing

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Senator Ernesto "Boy" Herrera. He was a great man, a notable labor leader, a true statesman, and a loving father.

I can still remember that during his youthful days in the University of the Visayas College of Law, despite his disability, he persevered and he became successful in his academic career. There was even a time when Mama Pining (President Josefina R. Gullas) transferred the class from the fourth to the first floor knowing the ordeal that Senator Boy was dealing. He was a UV scholar and I am proud that we had Senator Boy as a true bloodied Visayanian.

As a member of the House, it was an honor to work with the late Senator. I was a member then of the Committee on Labor and Employment in the House of Representatives, which was chaired by Alberto T. Veloso, another Visayanian, and Senator Boy was the chairman of the Committee on Labor and Employment in the Senate. Whenever different versions of bills regarding labor and employment arose, we had the Committee to conduct a bicameral conference to thresh out issues, settle, and harmonize differing provisions of the bill.

I then realized that we had 2 Visayanians, both chairmen of the Committee on Labor and Employment in the House and in the Senate, who were the leading legislators in taking up labor legislations.

Senator Boy was a recognized labor advocate. I had the privilege to attend to the conventions on the International Labor Organization Conference in Geneva. Delegates from around the world say nothing but praise to Senator Boy. He was, indeed, a renowned authority and a labor advocate.

Senator Boy was a hardworking man. An epitome of excellence in the field of endeavor he had chosen. Let our youth resemble the tireless effort he had done for our country and may his legacy ripple throughout our history.

We mourn the loss of Senator Boy. He lived a happy life and devoted much of it to uplift the plight of our workers. I hope he will forever be remembered. I pray that he may find eternal peace in the loving arms of Our Father. Eduardo R. Gullas President University of the Visayas