Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) – An idol, a mentor, a close friend, a passionate campaigner, and one who won’t be gone from the memories of those he worked with.
This is how several former and current government officials remembered former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, who died early Sunday morning.
Pimentel’s son, Senator Koko, led members of his family for a mass and eulogy for the veteran lawmaker at the Heritage Park in Taguig. The family requested for privacy during the wake.
Several guests who did attend the event spoke with reporters about their experiences working with Pimentel, who is highly regarded by figures in all aisles of the Philippine political spectrum.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that his and Pimentel’s families were close, having been made godfather for two of Pimentel’s children. He remembered the veteran lawmaker’s humility, saying he only preferred to be called by his nickname – especially during Senate sessions.
“He tells me, “Nene” lang. Doon mo makikita yung pagkakaibigan namin,” Sotto explained.
[Translation: He tells me to simply call him “Nene.” That’s how you can see our friendship.]
Sotto also says younger politicians or those aspiring to enter politics should emulate Pimentel’s example.
“Talaga namang idol ko siya sa paninindigan sa pulitika, sa paninindigan, sa pinaniniwalaan niya. Siya ang original na anti-corruption politician,” Sotto said.
[Translation: He’s really my idol in terms of standing up for his political and personal beliefs. He’s the original anti-corruption politician.]
Sotto also says he will always remember how Pimentel assisted then-Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr., during the impeachment trial of then-President Joseph Estrada as one of his fondest memories working with the gentleman from Cagayan de Oro.
The historic trial happened during Pimentel’s brief Senate Presidency, which lasted from November 2000 to June 2001.
Pimentel also worked with two Revillas during his Senate stint: Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr., who sat from 1998 to 2004, and Revilla’s son, Bong, who served from 2004 to 2010, when Pimentel retired from politics.
The younger Revilla won another six-year term in 2010. After his acquittal in his plunder trial over the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund scam – and eventual release from detention last year – he won a fresh Senate term in the May 2019 polls..
Revilla said he felt sad about the former Senate President’s demise, remembering him as a mentor who taught him the basics of legislation when he first entered the upper chamber.
“Siya yung nagme-mentor pa sakin eh,” Revilla recounts as he remembers Pimentel’s instructions. “Oh, kailangan, lakasan mo yung loob mo ah, bago ka pa lang, but you know, kailangan dito smart ka, ganun. In fact, gina-guide niya ako.”
[Translation: He was the one who mentored me. He repeatedly tells me, “You have to toughen up. You may be new here, but you have to be smart.” In fact, he even guides me.]
“Siya’y mananatiling inspirasyon sa mga katulad naming mambabatas,” Revilla added.
[Translation: He will remain an inspiration for lawmakers like us.]
Senator Francis Tolentino, who chairs the upper chamber’s Local Government committee, says Pimentel gave out solid advice on personal, professional, or even legal matters.
“You realize the value of patience. Minsan, nagkakasabay pa kami sa barber shop niyan eh. Very practical and sound yung advices niya,” Tolentino said.
[Translation: Sometimes, we go to the barber shop together. He gives very practical and sound advice.]
The former Tagaytay city mayor and MMDA Chairman also says Pimentel’s achievements are a “hard act to follow.”
“We always try to propose amendments, especially those needed by the times. But Senator Nene has always a keen passion for empowering our LGUs,” Tolentino added.
Pimentel authored Republic Act 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991.
Former Senate secretary Lutgardo Barbo recounts how mayors from other countries tried to study the said legislation for their own good.
“For example, in Australia. Sinabihan ako ng mayor doon, “Can we have a copy of your books, local government code?” You could define the law on local governance, that’s one thing we do not have here,” Barbo says.
[Translation: A mayor in Australia told me, “Can we have a copy of your books on the local government code?”]
He adds, the law can affect everyone and can influence good governance – qualities Barbo believes, makes the law the “most revolutionary piece of legislation ever crafted by Congress.”
Barbo worked as Senate secretary for both Nene and his son, Koko, during their Senate Presidencies.
For PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar, ex-Chief Justice Reynato Puno and Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy President Amina Rasul-Bernardo, Pimentel will be remembered for his main advocacy: federalism.
Puno worked closely with Pimentel as members of the Consultative Committee tasked to review the 1987 Constitution. He says, Pimentel’s views were highly regarded by the Con-Com’s members.
“If you read the draft of the Bayanihan Federalism in the Philippines, you can see there the large fingerprints of the late Senator Pimentel,” Puno says. He adds, “We in the federal movement will exert double our efforts to see to it that this dream, this vision of the late Senator will be a reality.”
Meanwhile, Rasul remembers Pimentel as a Mindanaoan who aimed for the advancement and development of his home region.
“Alam mo, matagal nang pinaniniwalaan ng mga taga-Mindanao yung sinasabi ni Tatay Nene na ang Mindanao, malaki ang kontribusyon sa kayamanan ng bansa, pero ang bumabalik na tulong ng gobyerno sa Mindanao ay kulang. Kaya dapat para magkaroon ng equal treatment, federalism ang sagot,” Rasul said.
[Translation: You know, many Mindanaoans believe in what Pimentel says – that the region greatly contributes to national wealth, but what comes back to it from the government is lacking. In order to have equal treatment, federalism is the answer.]
On the other hand, Andanar, who also hails from Cagayan de Oro – says the country owes a “debt of gratitude” to Pimentel, whom he called a “great man.”
“Malaking kawalan [si Sen. Nene] kasi siya yung isa sa mga utak nito, eh. He was also the inspiration of the entire movement,” Andanar said, referring to the federalism movement.
The former Senate President’s remains will lie in state at the Heritage Park in Taguig until October 22.
Pimentel’s remains will also be brought to the Senate on the morning of October 23, after which he will be brought to Cagayan de Oro City for public viewing until October 25.
Interment details will be announced by his family soon.
