Quotation of the Week

Quotation of the Week

“It takes months to find a customer... seconds to lose one” — Charles Dickens

WHOEVER IS ELECTED PRESIDENT, MARCOS WILL COOPERATE

If he wins as Vice President in the 2016 polls, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. sees no problem working with whoever is elected as the country’s new President in May next year.

“I don’t think I’ll have any problem working with any of the presidential candidates or prospective presidential candidates,” Marcos said today after filing his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for the vice presidential post at the main office of the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila.

Marcos acknowledged that there may be times when he and the new President would have different positions on certain policies or see things differently from each other.

“But in terms of a working relationship, I’m sure there’s no one that I cannot work with. That’s just not part of my thinking,” he said.

As part of the Executive Department, Marcos said the Vice President must provide support and assistance to the President.

“But of course you can also try to influence policy in ways you see best,” Marcos said.

In formally declaring his vice presidential bid last Saturday, October 10, Marcos vowed to work for the country’s unity, which he said is essential if the nation is to move forward towards a better future.

He noted that years of adversarial politics has sown disunity and has destroyed the country's sense of nationhood.

“Adversarial politics is fine until the elections are over. Once the elections are over, we really must put all that aside and work for the national interest---- not partisan interest, not individual interest, but the national interest,”.

He filed his Certificate Of Candidacy for vice president in the May 2016 elections at the main office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila.

Marcos said this marked the beginning of his fight to eradicate poverty, clean the streets of illegal drugs and other vices and crimes, eliminate graft and corruption in the government, boost the economy, and unite the Filipino people in nation-building for a progressive society.

Marcos, with his family and several supporters, walked to the Comelec after praying at the San Agustin Church.

He formally proclaimed his vice presidential bid on Saturday, October 10 and vowed to wage a “revolution” for unity and change for a better Philippines.

In his 30 years in public service, he had seen the sufferings of the people and the inability of the government to extract families from abject poverty, selective justice, and blatant connivance of corrupt government officials and greedy private individuals to siphon off the country’s wealth.

Marcos is an incumbent senator. He was elected in 2010, placing 7th overall. He chairs the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Committee on Public Works.

Before his election as senator, he served as Vice Governor, Governor, and Congressman of Ilocos Norte. /MP

SENATE TO ASSIST IN TITLING SCHOOL SITES

SENATE TO ASSIST IN TITLING SCHOOL SITES

The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources is seeking to complete within a year the summary titling of public school lands, according to Sen. Chiz Escudero.

Escudero, who chairs the committee, said the titling of the lands will be done simultaneous with the conduct of geohazard mapping to determine if schools are not within danger zones.

“Our target is to finish the summary titling of school sites within a year. In the process, we also hope to ensure that these lands are not vulnerable to geologic hazards for the safety of our students,” Escudero said.

As of this year, the Department of Education (DepEd) owns a total of 48,740 school sites all over the country. However, it was found that only 36,258 of these school sites have ownership or occupation documents under DepEd’s name.

Escudero’s committee recently approved Senate Bill No. 1730, or the act providing summary titling of real properties used as public school sites, to ensure that the government has legal ownership over these lands to avoid potential property disputes.

The veteran lawmaker noted that “public school sites have always been subjected to property disputes, frequent transfer of location, revocation of donations of lands where they are situated, and urban planning and development programs of the local government units (LGUs).”

“These legal disputes hinder the adequate education of our youth. It has negative impacts on the overall development of the nation in tapping and harnessing the talents of the Filipino youth, if schools, considered as their second abode, is constantly threatened with legal disputes and uncertainties,” he said.

In most cases, Escudero said, public schools sites are owned by LGUs or are subjects to long-term lease agreements with private individuals. In some cases, parcels of lands were donated but lacked the proper legal documentation and support on the transfer of ownership. /MP

NORA AUNOR & EDDIE GARCIA JOIN GMA’S UPCOMING PRIMETIME SERIES LITTLE MOMMY

NORA AUNOR & EDDIE GARCIA JOIN GMA’S UPCOMING PRIMETIME SERIES LITTLE MOMMY

In what is described as an almost miraculous coming-together of two multi-awarded Best Actors with more than 80 awards to their names combined, Ms. Nora Aunor and Mr. Eddie Garcia will work together in GMA’s newest primetime offering LITTLE MOMMY.

 The one and only Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor, with over 175 movies to her name, and FAMAS Hall of Famer Mr. Eddie Garcia, with over 300 films under his belt, are two formidable forces to reckon with in the Philippines film and TV industry and two established personalities that helped shape local show business.

Little Mommy is a story about the poignant life journey of Lola Annie, Lolo Miguel, Tinay and Letlet.

Tinay, to be portrayed by Kris Bernal, is a 25-year old who has a mind of a 9 year old because of her intellectual disability. Her daughter, Letlet (Chlaui Malayao) is a 6 year old playing the role of Little Mommy to her own mother as she is trying to compensate for her mother’s deficiencies.

Ms. Nora Aunor portrays Lola Annie Batongbuhay, the cool retro lola of Tinay, who still plays in gigs with her band. For her, Tinay’s condition is not a disability, but a gift because Tinay will forever remain innocent.

Mr. Eddie Garcia is Don Miguel Valle, Tinay’s long-lost maternal grandfather. For him, one is never too old to learn new things. Through his grandchildren, Tinay and Letlet, he will learn how to be a kid again.

Little Mommy also stars Bembol Roco, Keempee De Leon, Gladys Reyes, Mark Herras, Hiro Peralta, Renz Fernandez, Juancho Trivino and Sunshine Dizon.

Under the direction of Ricky Davao, this light and heartwarming story of Little Mommy unfolds this November on GMA Telebabad. /MP

DTI AKLAN Holds Poster Making Contest On Consumerism

DTI AKLAN Holds Poster Making Contest On Consumerism

Front row: Students from beneficiary schools of the Personal Computers for Public Schools (PCPS) project in Aklan with their respective coaches (second row). On the third row (L-R), participants, coach, the panel of judges (Ms. Chriszela Ramos, Mr. Michael Rapiz and Ms. Sumra Dela Cruz-Rojo), the Provincial Dir. Diosdado Cadena Jr. and a technical staff of DTI (Pamela Roldan).

In celebration of the Consumers Welfare Month, the DTI Aklan held a poster making contest on Wednesday, October 7, in Kalibo, Aklan. Personal Computers for Public Schools (PCPS) project beneficiary schools in the province participated in the contest.

The PCPS project was spearheaded by the DTI since 2001. It is an initiative of the agency in response to the compelling challenges posed by the fast emerging Know-ledge Economy. It aims to enhance the Filipino youth's information technology (IT) skills and to promote IT culture in Philippine classrooms. The project, in its Phase 4, has provided 631 personal computers to 53 recipient schools, at 12 computers per school in Aklan. The project fund came from the Government of Japan through its Non-Project Grant Assistance Countervalue Funds.

The project implementation has contributed to the development of the students’ IT competencies which prepares them for the requirements of higher IT learning and jobs in the Knowledge Economy.

Eleven high school students from the beneficiary schools of the PCPS project were able to join the contest. They show their creativeness and idea on the theme: Consumer Protection in the ASEAN Economic Community. The contest aims to encourage high school students to create a truly inspiring poster design that can communicate the message of Consumer Protection in the ASEAN Economic Community.

Mr. Michael T. Rapiz, Education Supervisor of the Department of Education, Ms. Sumra Dela Cruz-Rojo, Museum Curator of Arch. Gabriel M. Reyes Foundation, and Ms. Chriszela Ramos, Trade and Industry Development Specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry composed the panel of judges.

The winners are: 1st prize – Jericho Ivan Querubin of Ochando National High School; 2nd prize – Angel Quitong of Fr. Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School; and 3rd prize – John Rvyl Tumaca of Malay National High School. The first prize winner will represent Aklan in the Regional Le-vel on October 23, 2015 in Iloilo City.

Moreover, DTI is set to conduct a forum and to meet with Media to discuss Consumerism in the AEC. These activities are scheduled on the fourth week of October which aims to heighten participants’ awareness on the effect of the implementation of ASEAN Economic Integration on both the consumer and business sectors.

October is declared Consumer Welfare Month pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1098. This year, the National Consumer Affairs Council leads the celebration in close coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry in the regions and provinces nationwide./MP

WE CANNOT BE LAZY*

*Acceptance Speech Of Sen. Chiz Escudero For His Nomination As Vice President Candidate In The May 2016 National Election Held At Kalayaan Hall, Club Filipino On September 17, 2015.

Thank you, Senator Grace.

To my wife and family; to Ninang Susan; to my in-laws; to my friends and colleagues present today; to my fellow Bicolanos who will soon celebrate the Peñafrancia; to my fellow Filipinos, a good morning to you all!

 I once said that I would support any decision that Senator Grace makes regarding her role in the 2016 elections. As a candidate or ordinary supporter, I’m prepared to stand by her, just as I did for FPJ over 11 years ago.

In truth, I am more than content with my current life. I have only ever dreamed of a simple, honorable, happy, and peaceful life for myself and my beloved family.

On the other hand, some people say: “Who is this Chiz Escudero so young, and living in just a humble townhouse in Quezon City? Who does he think he is to dream so boldly, to have such grand ambitions?!”

In a way, these people have a point. My family name is only Escudero. I don’t have the same pedigree of Quezon, Roxas, or Osmeña families, of those who have become presidents, heroes or wealthy philanthropists. The Senate is the highest elected position that someone from my family has ever reached, and even this, I never ima-gined I might achieve.

And yet, I refuse to agree with those who say I have no right to have dreams or ambitions, especially if those dreams or ambitions are not for me, but for our country and my fellow countrymen.

I believe that every Filipino—rich or poor, young or old, man or woman, educated or not, good-looking or not, pedigreed or not, whether they live in Makati or in the provinces—has the ability, capacity, and right to devote his/her life to serving our country. No single person or family has a monopoly over the talent, intelligence, skill, and good intentions for our country.

This is why I have decided to accept, with wholehearted will and humility, Senator Grace’s challenge to accompany her on her journey, and to run as her vice president

I accept this challenge wholeheartedly because I believe in the character and ability of Senator Grace. Like her father FPJ, Senator Poe’s heart is in the right place. I believe that, as president, Senator Grace Poe or “GP” will lead a “GP”—Gobyernong may Puso, a Government with Heart.

(We will establish) a government with heart for the poor, the needy; a government with heart for the farmers, the fishermen, the laborers, and Overseas Filipino Workers; a government with heart for the differently-abled, the elderly, and the youth, including even children yet unborn; a government with heart for public servants, teachers, police, soldiers, and even ordinary employees; a government with Heart to protect victims of corruption, crime, and abuse; a government with heart who will find ways to reduce the cost of electricity, basic goods, and taxes; a government with heart who will protect our environment and heed the cries of mother nature; and a government with heart to ensure our country progresses without leaving anyone behind.

In the pursuit of wealth and development, education and opportunities, security and peace, freedom and health, not a single Filipino or corner of the Philippines should be left behind.

Here in Manila, how can we worry about the traffic going to work or school, while some remote villages in our country don’t even have schools or jobs? We can’t keep complaining about potholes and floods in Metro Manila while the Cordillera lacks roads or Tawi-Tawi lacks water. We have to move forward together, and as Senator Grace says, our most neglected and vulnerable citizens must come first.

Senator Grace and I will establish a Government with Heart through a detailed platform for each agency, which will be based on their yearly budget.

The next president will appoint and delegate over 5,000 people in government who will fill positions in 500 agencies, and will spend 18 trillion pesos over a six-year term.

 Starting from the first day in office, this is the only way to urgently address the most pressing problems of every sector of the Philippines. In governing this country, we cannot afford to dawdle or hold ourselves hostage to analysis paralysis. We should hit the ground running from the first day until the last. We cannot afford to do otherwise.

At the same time, through the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill and a crackdown on anomalies, we will fight corruption by ensuring that the government will be run on a simple principle—that discretion equals corruption. Minimize discretion and we will be able to minimize corruption; eliminate it and we will be able to eliminate corruption.

Senator Grace and I cannot do this alone. We need the help of every one of you, of every Filipino!

As we devote ourselves to the higher calling of serving our country as president and vice-president, this is the reason we will choose to remain independent, or without party. We believe that whoever runs and serves as president or vice-president should not be member of a single party. Our party should be the Filipino people. And we should be loyal not only to liberals, nationalists, or other party members, but to every Filipino.

Our party is the Philippines, and the members of our party are the Filipino people.

We will work together and unite in our mission, and this is the only way for us to equally serve and listen to every Filipino, whether they voted for us or not, whether they support us or not.

The book of Philippine history is far from finished. However, does every sentence in our country’s story need to be finished with a period?

For me, every sentence in our history should end, not with a period, but with an exclamation mark. Nowadays, “good enough” is not good enough! If we truly desire progress, we cannot be lazy. We cannot have a slow government.

We must raise the quality of government service. We must work together and help one another to forge into reality our collective dream of a progressive, developed, orderly, and happy nation, where justice prevails and peace reigns! A country where every Filipino is treated equally, where no one is left behind.

I am Chiz Escudero, a Filipino, a son, husband, father, and a Bicolano public servant. With the grace of God and the Blessed Mother, I humbly offer myself to the mission of serving as your vice president … as the vice president of our country.

Long live the Filipino people!/MP

OH, MAI, MY MAIMAI

By ODON S. BANDIOLAWhen I am emotionally down with the passing away of someone, that would mean he or she is my close relative. He/She maybe someone so close to me as a friend, a colleague in the profession, or someone working with or working for me in an organization.

To heal and fill my emptiness and the sorrow it brought me with his/her passing, I resort to scribbling notes of my fond memories of her/his person.

Why do I scribble notes for Mai-mai in the immediate aftermath of her passing? It only means she is special to me as she is very special to anyone else in the entire SP family.

Why, Mai? Why do you have to leave us this early, at a very crucial and critical months when the SP family is too loaded enough as the year winds up with marathon legislative actions bannered by our review of Aklan’s 2016 annual budgets?

In your sickbed at the hospital suite, on September 13, 2015, in the morning, you sent me a text message which runs this way:

“Hi guys, gud am, leave lang anay ko dis whole week, sked of chemo ko is on Friday, Wel go der on Thursday, 2 kinds of chemo were presented to us, we’v chosen the one dat wud be just for 3 hours, the oder 1 wud require confinement 4-3 days, d dr. sed, mas mapag on tag ginpili namon though ms mahae, 6 sessions ro require but my case nga 3 sessions paeang man kuno my improvement na every month chemo  ko,. 42Kk each.Tnx so much guys for all your help. God Bless us all!

I replied:

Ok mai, you have all our prayers. Get well soon Mai! We love you”

She replied:

“thanks so much sir (with 3 hearts symbol-meaning love, love, love)

I replied:

“Ingatmai! For sure, I will be missing my kindest, most respectful and pliant staff”

She replied:

“ ahaysi sir, ur making me cry…I’ll be back sir, alive and kicking… na mi miss ko na ang work sa opis sir and all of u.

I replied:

Cge Mai!

Finally, she replied:

“Ok sir, see u d soonest”

Her chemo sessions did not materialize. She lingers in her hospital bed in the DRSTMH. And, “the soonest to see me” never materialized until her death because I refrained from seeing her in the hospital for fear of instead comforting her, fear maybe sown on her with my anticipated “ Good Friday” face facing her.

I do not know if Maimai had excused me for not visiting her in her hospital suite. Three days before her scheduled operation on Thursday, October 8. I had dreamt of her, the bizarre way, at dawn of Monday, Oct. 5. In that dream, I was pondering over her work station cubicle on what work I wanted her to work on! She was not there, but suddenly I saw her towards the office door about to exit. Before I can talk to her, she told me, “Sir, indi eot a kita magkilita pa”.

By then, she is being prepared for her second operation. By then, I was already entertaining to the reality of what she said in my dream, a dream like real, entering my third sense while asleep and wake up to it after she said, “Sir, indi eot.a kita magkilita, I had the gut feel that removing a 2-kilo tumor from her body can take a heavy toll on her fragile body, And that was it!

On a Sunday, noontime, about the time Maimai breathes her last, I was doing a laundry of my own clothes in between the dining table and the lavatory. I thirst and about to pour drinking water on a glass I put early in the morning  on top of the table safely away from the table edges. Before I can even pour water, without even touching it, the glass suddenly  swirled  and down the table  it drops, broken, Maimai entered my thoughts . And true, it was her omen. Fifteen minutes or so, Amy and Ophel almost simultaneously sent me a message .Maimai was gone. What a way Maimai bids me goodbye.

I, the SP family, lost a staff so kind, civil, respectful and productive. No hurting words can be heard from her in close to 10 years I was working with her. When she’s hurt with harsh words from peers and bosses, she does not retaliate, she meekly cries.

I used to dictate to a staff text of messages, communications, legislative measures, speeches and the like for print out.

Maimai is one of the few who can accurately capture my language that when it is printed, it often results to very few corrections.

Many times, when I have work related tantrums inside the office, Maimai would just gaze or stare at me without saying a word but obviously pleading to me to be cool and calm.

Thank you very much, Mai.

You will never be forgotten. We will be missing you. /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda Ni Tita Linda Belayro

Manok Ni Bastian

Maila-on mag-alila it manok si Bastian. Kaibahan ko gina alila nana nga manok hay ro isaeang ka isiw nga may baliskad it pak-pak. Gin alila-an nana ro isiw hasta nagbahoe, ogaling gina pintasan it ibang manok bangod maeaw-ay ro itsura. Naeo-oy si Bastian, ngani ana nga gin-paea-in.

Isaeang adlaw, may magueang nga nag-agi sa baeay ni Bastian nga naga pakalimos.Gin tao ni Bastian ro nabilin nana nga humay sa magueang. Bilang pasaeamat, gin hapeos nana rong isiw ni Bastian ag nagpanaw.

Nabati-an ni Bastian ro pag-inubo ko anang ina sa ibabaw. Oras eon nga anang pa-imnun it boeong ogaling uwa imaw it kwarta. May nag pundo nga saeakyan sa tungod ko andang baeay. Naga usoy it inugbueang nga manok. Gin baligya tanan ni Bastian ro anang manok eowas sa anang may baliskad nga pak-pak.

Ko agahon ngaron, nagsaeampitan ro anang barkada nga mag adto sa bueangan. Nagmunot si Bastian daea ro anang manok. Pag-abot idto, abo nga naga pinusta, pati ro mga barkada ni Bastian. Nag da-ug rong manok ko mga manggaranon nga manog-bueang.

Kat owa eon it nagsukoe, gin-ayat ko mga tahor ro manok ni Bastian. Andang gin suk-ean. Ogaling may sangka magueang nga nag pusta sa manok ni Bastian. Nagdaug. Hasta abo eon ro nag pusta. Naperde tanan ro mga manok ko manok ni Bastian. Nag-uli si Bastian nga puno it kwarta ro anang boesa.

Halin kato, ginapangayaw si Bastian agod magbakae ko anang manok. Abo man ro buot mag bakae ko anang manok nga baliskad ro anang pak-pak. Uwa gid nana igbaligya.  Ana abing palahian. Nag asenso si Bastian ag owa gid naga kalipat sa Diyos. Nagabulig man imaw sa mga tawong naga dangup kana. /MP

FREE EDUCATION FOR SOLDIERS/LAW ENFORCERS’ DEPENDENTS

FREE EDUCATION FOR SOLDIERS/LAW ENFORCERS’ DEPENDENTS

The Senate approved on third and final reading a bill which sought to grant educational assistance and benefits to the dependents of soldiers, firemen and law enforcers killed in action or permanently incapacitated while performing their duties.

Senate Bill No. 2952, also known as the Act granting educational assistance and benefits to the dependents of all members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), National Bureau of Investigation(NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), was introduced by Senators Vicente Sotto III, Antonio Trillanes IV and Pia Cayetano.

It was approved with 14 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention.

“This measure seeks to address the need to improve the government’s assistance to the dependents of our uniformed personnel and law enforcement agents who are killed in action or are permanently incapacitated, as a way of giving back and honouring their sacrifices for the country,” Sen. Pres. Franklin Drilon said.

Under the bill, beneficiaries shall be extended full scholarship from elementary to tertiary levels whether baccalaureate, formal or non-formal education or training program in a non-exclusive school or institution.

The scholarship privilege would include the payment of tuition and miscellaneous fees, allowance for books and school supplies, as well as allowance for food and transportation, according to the bill.

“As a matter of justice and gratitude, we must recognize the sacrifices of our soldiers, policemen, firemen and peacekeepers,” Sotto said.

“Although lost lives and disabled bodies cannot be brought back, free education for the uniformed personnel’s surviving children may help give life to their families,” Sotto added. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer by Ambrosio R. Villorente

Your Choice On December 12, 2015

One of the alternatives to select from in the Akelco referendum is for Akelco to become a stock corporation under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Today, and for the last 43 years since 1972, Akelco is a non-stock non-profit electric agency under the supervision and control of the government thru the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

As a non stock non profit organization under the NEA, Akelco is capitalized by the government thru the NEA. Consumers’ benefit is only the electrical connection services provided by Akelco management and technical staff members. Although the consumer members elect the members of the Board of Directors by district, the Board of Directors’ actions are subject to the approval of the NEA. This is understandable as funds in the Akelco come from the government.

Therefore, to me, Akelco BoD is a mere rubber stamp of NEA. Its actions such as appointment of personnel, purchase of materials, machine and equipment are subjects for approval-disapproval or revision of NEA.

BoD plans, programs, projects, and activities can never be implemented without NEA approval. Hence, this situation moves consumer members to care less for Akelco.

On the other hand, if the members of Akelco will vote in the referendum on Dec. 12, 2015 to convert Akelco into a corporation under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Akelco will be owned by the stockholders. A conversion process will be drafted and approved to convert Akelco into a stock and profit corporation. The present Akelco asset will be inventoried and assigned its total value. The asset may either be donated to the said corporation or be sold to the said corporation using stockholders’ money or the proceeds from the sale of shares of stocks.

If converted into a stock and profit corporation, Akelco must be registered with the SEC. Necessary documents for registration must be prepared and submitted to SEC.

Shares of stocks will be sold to probable buyers of shares of stocks. Buyers of shares of stock become stockholders. The stockholders will elect their officers to the BoD to serve as a policy and plan making body. They will appoint a management group to implement the approved policies and plans. At the end of the year, a financial report will be prepared. Any surplus after deducting the cost of operation from the gross sales and upon approval of the BoD, the surplus will be given to the stockholders as dividends.  The dividend amount is dependent upon the amount of shares of stock a stockholder holds.

For one thing, converting Akelco into a stock corporation is a sort of a “private public partnership”. This will relieve the government from spending government money for its operations and maintenance. The stockholders will take over. Any problem in Akelco, the private sector will solve it.

Since Akelco is a corporation, the stockholders owned it. It will be highly protected from vandals, thieves, and other destructions.

Since shares of stocks will be marketed, both investment and money in circulation will increase. Akelco will be highly operated in a business manner. Systems loss will be minimized. Any problem concerning Akelco will be solved by stockholders or by the corporation itself.

I may not discussed Akelco to become stock nonprofit cooperative under the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). It is highly dangerous to convert Akelco under the CDA. Akelco distributes a very important commodity, power. And only, a small number of cooperatives had been successful. Even the Aklan Cooperative Development Bank in Kalibo went bankrupt and closed shop.

JOKER ARROYO’S “EXCEPTIONAL HUMILITY”

“He dazzled the nation with his brilliance, with his high sense of duty and strong commitment to defend the underprivileged.”

Drilon said, Arroyo, who reportedly passed away in the United States on October 5, “led a life of integrity, good character, diligence and with a profound love for the masses that are dearest to his heart.”

“It was a great honor to work with him; first in the Executive Department, and later in the Senate. I attest to Joker’s exceptional humility and simplicity as a public official,” Drilon said.

“With his frugal and prudent ways, he will always be fondly remembered for being the ‘Scrooge of the Senate,” Drilon said.

Drilon said, Arroyo’s passing “is the nation’s collective loss, but his life will always be an inspiration to every Filipino.”

“With deep sorrow, we remember him in our prayers and condole with his family. We join the whole nation in mourning the loss of a gem of a public servant whose achievements as a lawyer, human rights defender, lawmaker and public servant are unparalleled,” the Senate chief said. /MP