Ex-Senate President Pimentel laid to rest

October 26, 2019

Former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. was laid to rest at Heritage Park in Taguig Saturday morning.

Pimentel, who was a known opposition figure against the ex-President Ferdinand Marcos during the martial law, passed away at the age of 85 on October 20.

He is survived by his wife, Lourdes, and six children including Senator Koko Pimentel.

In his Twitter account, the younger Pimentel said:'' The members of the family of the former Senate President Aquilino ''Nene'' Pimentel Jr express their sincerest thanks to everyone and the entire Filipino Nation for the outpouring of support of love, support and messages of sympathy and condolences for Tatay Nene.''

Malacanang Palace, current and past senators, and colleagues of Pimentel  mourned the passing of an advocate for local governance and human rights.

President Rodrigo Duterte who cut short attending Emperor Naruhito's enthronement in Tokyo arrived at Pimentel's wake straight from airport Monday night.

From 1987, Pimentel served three terms in the Senate until 2010. He was also among the 12 senators who voted against renewing the US bases agreement were Senate President Jovito Salonga, Agapito Aquino, Juan Ponce Enrile, Joseph Estrada, Teofisto Guingona Jr., Sotero Laurel, Ernesto Maceda, Orly Mercado, Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tanada.

One of his key pieces of legislation was the Local Government Code, which allows towns, cities and provinces to run their own affairs, including setting tax rates. These local government units are also assured of a share in the national government's internal revenue allotment. 

Senate President Tito Sotto, in his necrology on Thursday, ''if social justice, courage and the crafting of laws were to assume a human form, in all probability, that person would be Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr.''

Sotto recounted that a few weeks before his death, Pimentel still managed to lend his presence in the Senate though already needing a wheelchair.'' Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS