Butz Aquino, PNoy’s uncle and former senator, passes away

But when Ninoy Aquino died, he felt that he needed to seek justice and continue what his brother had died for.

He then helped form ATOM and the Bansang Nagkakaisa sa Diwa at Layunin (BANDILA) and organized street marches and rallies, which led to the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

As a leader of ATOM, he was among those who mobilized people to gather on EDSA in 1986 for the first People Power Revolution.

Butz Aquino was initially hesitant to enter politics saying it was a "ballgame of the rich."

'Committed public servant'

In Malacañang, presidential spokesman Sec. Edwin Lacierda paid tribute to former Senator Aquino, remembering him as a “committed public servant."

"Agapito ‘Butz' Aquino had originally chosen a quiet life as an entrepreneur, but in the face of the dictatorship’s tyranny, he became one of the frontline fighters for the restoration of our democracy,” Lacierda said in a statement.

The Palace official said Butz Aquino had "played a prominent role in the parliament of the streets that fought the dictatorship.”

Lacierda also credited the late senator for being the first public figure to call on the public to protect members of the military and the police force who broke away from the Marcos dictatorship.

Lacierda described Butz Aquino as a lawmaker "known for his optimism, his wit, and his steadfast dedication to the ideals of his brother Ninoy and sister-in-law Cory."

"We know that in this time of grief and loss for his family, the Filipino people will take his loved ones into their warm and grateful embrace,” the President’s spokesman said.

'Parliament of the streets'

In a press statement, Vice President Jejomar Binay recalled the times he and Butz Aquino staged demonstrations against Martial Law.

“Nakasama ko sa mahabang panahon si Butz, mula nang panahon ng parliament of the streets hanggang sa siya ay mag-retiro sa pulitika. Magkasama kaming nagmartsa sa Makati noong martial law bilang myembro ng ATOM," Binay said.

"Magkasama rin kami sa EDSA noong 1986 nang patalsikin natin ang diktadura at ibalik ang demokrasya,” he added.

“Sa mga panahong ito, nagpakita ng tapang at prinsipyo si Butz. At kahit noong siya ay naging senador at kongresista,ni minsan ay hindi niya ginamit ang kanyang posisyon at ang pagiging kapamilya ng Pangulo upang isulong ang pansariling interes,” Binay said.

Binay further honored Aquino: “Nanatili siyang matalik na kaibigan hanggang sa kanyang huling sandali.”

“This country is grateful, not just for the many years he has served our legislature, but also for his staunchness in the struggle to regain our freedoms,” House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said in a statement.