SENATORS sponsored a mass on Wednesday to honor former senator Agapito “Butz” Aquino, who passed away on Monday due to natural causes at age 76.
Former and incumbent senators attended the mass such as Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Loren Legarda and Senate President Franklin Drilon.
In his eulogy, Drilon said that it was the first time the Senate held a mass at the session hall in honor of a deceased lawmaker.
“Senator Butz will always be remembered for his audacity,” Drilon said. “He earned the utmost respect… History has proven Butz Aquino right.”
His family and relatives, led by wife Popsy, also attended the mass.
Roxanne Aquino, the late senator’s daughter, delivered a response on behalf of the Aquino family.
She recalled some qualities of her father.
“Agapito loved to entertain. He loved to sing. He performed on stage before entering politics. And he liked telling jokes,” Roxanne said.
“He also liked the truth… and he loved his God,” she added.
Aquino was senator from 1987 to 1995 and congressman of Makati’s second district from 1998 to 2007.
On Tuesday, the Senate adopted a resolution honoring and remembering Aquino for his “invaluable contribution and unwavering diligence as a legislator.”
He authored several legacy laws such as the Magna Carta for Small Farmers, Cooperative Code of the Philippines and the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992, among others.
He also played a very important role in the 1986 Edsa Revolution as he helped organized street marches and rallies that eventually led to the ouster of then President Ferdinand Marcos. (Sunnex)