Ex-Senator Victor Ziga dies at 75

Former lawmaker Victor Ziga, one of the “Magnificent 12” senators, has died, his son announced Monday.

“It’s never easy to say goodbye to someone you love... I will always look up to you. I may not achieve the things you’ve done [as] a senator, governor, assemblyman, cabinet member... But the best is you’re my Papa,” Victor Jr. said in a Facebook post. 

Zigs was among the 12 senators who were hailed for voting against the Republic of the Philippines-United States Bases Treaty in 1991. 

Albay Representative Joey Salceda lauded Ziga as the “father” of the Senior Citizens’ Law and author of the Build, Operate, and Transfer Law. 

“He was a man of integrity and honesty worthy of emulation,” the congressman said.

Ziga was born on September 30, 1945 to former Albay governor Venancio Ziga and former Senator Tecla San Andres.

Senate honors Ziga

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday filed a resolution “expressing the profound sympathy and sincere condolences of the Senate of the Philippines” on Ziga’s death.

The resolution stated that Ziga authored and co-authored 295 bills and resolutions.

Among the former senator’s most notable measures was one that sought to require all primary and secondary schools to integrate the teaching of “the dangers and evil effects” of drug dependency, addiction, and abuse into the curriculum.

Ziga was also responsible for a bill aimed at prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, and sale of cigars and cigarettes without the warning "Smoking Is dangerous to your health” printed on the packaging.

“Even after his retirement from politics, he continued to serve his fellow Filipinos who have less in life by associating and involving himself In typhoon relief operations and civic organizations such as the free Medical Eye Specialist Mission and the Medical Mission of the Philippine General Hospital,” the resolution read. — BM, GMA News