CAGAYAN de Oro City Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said he could only hope that there will be more principled and steadfast leader like Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. in the country.
Ledesma said Pimentel, who was an opposition mayor during martial law, shows young people that looking for righteousness and morality are important in a public life.
"I call him the steadfast warrior. Tul-id iyang dalan para sa kaayohan (His path was for the greater good). He didn't make any political compromises. In fact, he was imprisoned four times during martial law days," Ledesma said.
"Duna syay baruganan working against authoritarianism and dictatorship of martial law. We can be proud nga ang Cagayan de Oro became an opposition area during the martial law days," he added.
(He stood against authoritarianism and dictatorship of martial law. We can be proud that Cagayan de Oro became an opposition area during the martial law days.)
He hopes more Nene Pimentels will arise in the country who will continue to show that public service is a public trust.
Asked for his message to politicians, Ledesma said he hopes politicians and government officials will not be swayed by political expediency but stick to their principles.
Pimentel's remains was brought back to Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City Friday morning, October 25.
He was buried on Saturday, October 26, in the same memorial park.