MANILA, Philippines – Inalala ng mga dati at kasalukuyang senador ang mga naging ambag ni dating senador Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon na nasawi dahil sa pneumonia.
“This is a bittersweet Independence Day, as the nation mourns the passing of Senator Rodolfo Biazon, one of our staunchest defenders of the peace and democracy that we are enjoying today,” pahayag ni Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Inalala ni Zubiri ang lahat ng mga natutunan nito kay Biazon nang siya ay baguhang senador pa lamang, at kung paano ito nagbigay-inspirasyon sa kanya sa “uncompromising public service, not just as a veteran legislator but also as a veteran military man.”
“He brought that same military discipline and commitment to his work in the Senate, and to every aspect of his life as a public servant. I am grateful for the time that we spent in the Senate together,” sinabi pa ni Zubiri.
Inalala rin ng senador si Biazon na naglingkod bilang kanilang “fountain of guidance and wisdom.”
“May [his family] be comforted by the fact that the whole nation will remember Senator Biazon as a great man of service who dedicated his entire life and career to our people,” aniya.
Maliban kay Zubiri, kinilala rin ni Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda ang dating kasamahan sa Senado bilang isang “true officer and public servant who dedicated his life to public service.”
Palagi umanong maaalala ang paninindigan ni Biazon sa seguridad at kapakanan ng bansa.
Pinuri naman ni Senador Grace Poe si Biazon bilang isang “exemplar soldier and solon.”
“His valuable work in fortifying the military institution and in lawmaking will not be forgotten,” ani Poe.
Sa hiwalay na pahayag, pinuri rin ni Senador Bong Revilla si Biazon na tinawag naman niyang “the embodiment of a true officer and gentleman who devoted his entire life to serving the Philippines and the Filipino people.”
“[T]oday – Independence Day – is very fitting to be when he was called upon by our Creator to go home. Snappy salute, Manong Pong. Rest in peace,” ani Revilla.
Nagpahayag din ng pagkilala si Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros para kay Biazon na tinawag naman niyang “great soldier, statesman and solon.”
“He passed on this Independence Day, a reminder of his formidable, lifelong fight for our Inang Bayan. Indeed, much can be said about all that he has done for the Filipino people, from his time as a Philippine Marine to his years in Congress, but what remained true all throughout was his unwavering love for the Philippines,” sinabi ni Hontiveros.
Inalala rin ng senador ang pagkakaroon ng kritikal na pag-iisip ni Biazon at ang paggalang nito sa karapatang pantao na dapat umanong taglay din ng iba pang mga senador at opisyal sa pamahalaan.
“A true patriot, Sen. Pong always answered the call of duty even when he was no longer in office. When the former administration could not express a clear stance vis-a-vis China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea, Sen. Pong did not hold back from calling on our top officials to take a united position against China,” pahayag ni Hontiveros.
“Time and again, when he saw that our nation was in peril, he stepped out from his private life and gave us public servants clarity and a sense of direction,” dagdag niya. RNT/JGC
