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Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Senator Cayetano succumbs to cancer
MANILA -- Sen. Renato Cayetano died Tuesday of abdominal cancer in his home in Ayala, Alabang, after a liver transplant in the US last February.
His son Pateros-Taguig Rep. Peter Allan Cayetano and Senate President Franklin Drilon confirmed the reports over the radio in an interview late yesterday afternoon.
The 68-year-old senator died at 3:54 p.m. with his wife Sandra and other members of the family by his bedside.
President Arroyo immediately sent her sympathies to the family and friends of Cayetano after news reached her that he had succumbed to his illness.
Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Arroyo was expected to personally pay her respects and meet with the Cayetanos last night.
"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," the President said in a statement.
Arroyo issued an order that all flags in government offices be flown at half-staff to show respect for Cayetano.
For his part, Drilon said he had been looking forward to seeing Cayetano back in the Senate. He described Cayetano's death as a great loss.
Cayetano went on leave since October last year.
"He was one of the most industrious men I have worked with. He was very thorough in his job. He was more than a colleague to me. He was a personal friend," Drilon said in a radio interview.
Cayetano, who was the chairman of the committees on education and energy, was supposed to take over the Senate presidency last January, but his failing health forced him to leave for the United States to seek treatment.
He and Drilon had agreed to serve 18 months each as Senate president to avoid creating a division in the Senate majority.
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. His youngest son Lino, 25, donated part of his liver. The senator's liver was damaged by chronic hepatitis B.
Three months after the transplant, cancer was discovered in his abdomen.
Medical specialists diagnosed the cancer as having spread from his damaged liver.
Cayetano left the country last Oct. 28 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 check on his condition and to wish for his speedy recovery.
Bunye, a 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 believes the senator had lived a full life, but he "would be missed."
The son of a mechanic, Cayetano was born on Dec. 12, 1934. He was former president Fidel Ramos' chief legal adviser before he ran for the Senate and won in 1998 with the second highest number of votes.
Before he became senator, he was also a popular host of the television program "Compaņero y Compaņera."
Cayetano is survived by his wife Sandy, his children lawyer Pia Cayetano-Sebastian, Representative Cayetano; Muntinlupa Councilor Rene Carl, Edgardo Lino, son-in-law lawyer Ariben Sebastian, and granddaughters Maxine and Nadine.
His remains are at the Garden of Memory Memorial Homes in Pateros and interment will be announced later. (Sunnex)/MEA/Sun.Star Cebu
(June 25, 2003 issue)
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