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Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Senator Cayetano succumbs to cancer
By She Caguimbal-Torres and Annica Marin
SENATOR Renato "Companero" Cayetano passed away Tuesday from complications in abdominal cancer. Cayetano, 69, died in his home in Ayala, Alabang at 3:54 in the afternoon.
His son, Pateros-Taguig Congressman Peter Allan Cayetano, and Senate President Franklin Drilon confirmed the reports over the radio in an interview late Tuesday afternoon.
According to Congressman Cayetano, his father died at home with wife Sandra and the other members of the family by his bedside.
President Arroyo immediately sent her sympathies to the family and friends of the senator after news reached her that he had succumbed to his illness Tuesday afternoon.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Arroyo was expected to personally pay her respect and meet with the Cayetanos Tuesday night.
Arroyo in a statement said: "Cayetano had a great vision for our country under the caring hands of the Lord. He was a stalwart of good governance and public service. He underwent great pain and sacrifice for the people and for God."
A statement released by the Cayetano family said the senator died due to progressive debility as a result of intra-abdominal cancer.
Senator Cayetano returned to the country from the United States on June 5 after a liver transplant operation at the University of Southern California Medical Center in Los Angeles wherein his youngest son, Lino, 25, donated part of his liver. The senator's liver was destroyed by chronic Hepatitis-B.
There was no evidence of liver cancer at the time of the transplant. However, three months after the transplant, cancer was discovered in his abdomen.
Medical specialists diagnosed the cancer as having spread from his damaged liver.
Senator Cayetano left the country on October 28, 2002 to seek medical treatment in the US.
The President visited Cayetano in his home last June 9, almost a week after his return from the United States, to personally check on his condition and to wish for his speedy recovery.
Bunye, who claims to be a personal friend of Cayetano, also sent his condolences to family and friends of the senator, whom he described as someone who is "well loved anywhere he goes."
He believed the Senator had lived a full life, but he "would be missed."
Senate President Franklin Drilon also sent his sympathies to the Cayetanos and asked the public to pray.
"Ako po ay nalulungkot at nagsakabilang buhay na ang aking kaibigan na si kumpanyerong Rene... matagal ko na rin siyang nakasama. It's a great loss not only to the Senate but the nation as well. Sa buong pamilya (Cayetano) po, nakikiramay ako at humihingi sa sambayanan na ipagdasal natin si Sen. Rene Cayetano," he said in several radio interviews.
The son of a mechanic, Cayetano was born on December 12, 1934. He was former President Fidel V. Ramos' chief legal adviser before he ran for the senate and won in 1998 with the second highest number of votes. Before he became a senator, he was also a popular host of the television program Companero Y Companera.
Senator Cayetano is survived by his wife Sandy, his children Atty Pia Cayetano-Sebastian; Congressman Cayetano; Muntinlupa Councilor Rene Carl; Edgardo Lino; son-in-law Atty Ariben Sebastian and granddaughters Maxine and Nadine.
Senator Cayetano's remains will lay in rest at the Garden of Memory Memorial Homes in Pateros and interment will be announced later.
(June 25, 2003 issue)
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