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Friends, colleagues pay their respects to former senator Nene Pimentel
Friends and colleagues of the late Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. went to the first night of his wake at The Heritage Park in Taguig City on Sunday to pay their respects.
A Mass was held at 9 p.m. attended by Pimentel's relatives and friends, according to a report by Bam Alegre on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.
Among those who were at the wake were former Senator Francisco "Kit" Tatad who worked with Pimentel before at the Senate, and Amina Rasul, daughter of Senator Nina Rasul, Pimentel's former colleague at the Senate.
Also present were Senator Bong Revilla and his wife, Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado.
Revilla said he looked up to Pimentel as his father in the Senate since the latter served as lawmaker at the same time his own father, former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr., did.
Senator Francis Tolentino was also there and said he regarded Pimentel as his "personal lawyer."
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Pimentel is a huge loss to their campaign to promote federalism.
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said he held Pimentel in high regard even when he was just starting his own career in politics and so he joined the latter's party, the PDP-Laban, in 1992.
"Idol ko siya sa paninindigan sa politika, sa paninindigan sa paniniwalaan niya. Siya ang original na anti-corruption politician," Sotto said.
Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno remembered Pimentel's wisdom and said, "He was a major influence. On areas where we cannot agree, we always solicit his wise advice."
Vice President Leni Robredo relayed her condolences and said she is grateful for the legacy Pimentel left in local governance and human rights, particularly his stand against martial law imposed by former President Ferdinand Marcos, and his strong leadership as Senate President during the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada.
Pimentel passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 85 after battling lymphoma and pneumonia.
The wake will be held until Tuesday at The Heritage Park.
On Wednesday morning, October 23, Pimentel’s wake will be transferred to the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City.
Pimentel's remains will be brought to the Cagayan de Oro City Hall on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 23, and will stay there until Friday morning, October 25.
On Friday afternoon, Pimentel’s remains will be returned to The Heritage Park.
The schedule of the interment will be announced later by the family. —KG/RSJ, GMA News
