Senate leaders mourn passing of ex-senator Ramon Revilla Sr.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Friday extended their condolences to the loved ones of former senator and actor Ramon Revilla Sr. who passed away at 93.

"Don Ramon had a kind and good heart. His love for the masses and his deep concern for the welfare of our underprivileged brothers and sisters was an inspiring light that laid down the parameters of authentic public service," Sotto said in a statement.

"He has taught me that public adulation is not and should never be used as a benchmark for who and what a true public servant is," he added.

Revilla, also known for his classic fictional roles as Nardong Putik and Pepeng Agimat, served two terms in the Senate from 1992 to 2004.

For his part, Zubiri underscored how Revilla did his best in the film industry and in public service.

"What was truly remarkable about him was that his real-life work easily overshadowed the heroics of his film roles. He was a hero both on and off screen," Zubiri said.

The senator described Revilla as "trailblazer in the public works sector" because of his authorship of the Public Works Act that was signed into law in 1995.

"What we’re doing now with our infrastructure programs has its roots in what he was doing way back in the nineties," Zubiri said.

The Palace also expressed its condolences to the bereaved family of the former statesman. -MDM, GMA News