Senators hail Joker but Senate can’t honor him yet

Yet to receive word from Senator Joker Arroyo's family as regards his passing, the Senate on Wednesday decided to delay the passage of a resolution honoring the former lawmaker and forego the traditional shortened session as a form of tribute to the late senator.

“You know, I find it very awkward because there is no official confirmation from the family. I do not know what is the best thing to do,” Drilon told reporters when asked what the chamber would do to remember its former member.

Upon official notification of the death of a former or incumbent member, the Senate usually passes a resolution in honor of the person and puts the Philippine flag at half mast. The session would also be adjourned earlier than usual.

Only Administrative matters—the roll call and the approval of the journal—would be taken up before ending the session.

“I discussed with the Assistant Minority Leader, Senator Tito (Vicente) Sotto, and that was our consensus (to continue with the session) because we are in a very awkward position, as there has been no official confirmation from the family,” Drilon said.

It was a friend, former Senator Rene Saguisag, who confirmed to the media that Arroyo died after undergoing a heart surgery in the US a few days ago.

The absence of notice from the family, however, didn't keep the senators, including those he had differences with, from giving praise to the late senator.

Drilon remembers Arroyo as the most frugal member of the Senate with only three members of his staff—a driver, a secretary, and a legislative staff.

“I have worked with Senator Joker Arroyo both in the Cabinet and in the Senate and I have always known him to be a brilliant lawyer, as somebody who takes strong advocacies,” said Drilon.

Drilon served as the Secretary of Justice and Secretary of Labor under the administration of then President Corazon Aquino. Arroyo was the  Executive Secretary.

“Here in the Senate, he was one of the most frugal. He was very conscious that he was in public service and he was very careful with the way he projected himself.  So it’s a loss for the country,” Drilon said.

‘Joker carries with him a part of history’

Even Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile expressed sadness over Arroyo’s death even if they had political differences more than once.

“I’m sad that a colleague like Joker has passed away and he carries with him a part of the history of the land because when we were on opposite sides of the political fence,” Enrile said.

Arroyo was an opponent of martial law while Enrile, as Ferdinand Marcos' defense minister, was one of its top implementers.

“He has been on the other side of the fence. We were both, during the Marcos years. I was in government and he was very active in the opposition. He was lawyering for many of those that were opposing the martial law regime. Nevertheless, we remained good friends,” he said.

The 91-year-old Enrile admitted that he could no longer recall the most memorable moment with Arroyo during their stint in the Senate, “but every part of our working together has been memorable to me.”

“In some points, we agreed on some points but nonetheless we discussed issues in a very noble manner according to our own perception and now, he’s gone. He’s one of the best senators ever to come by in the Senate,” Enrile said.

Human rights advocate

Senator Francis Escudero said Arroyo would always be known as a champion of human rights.

“He defended and handled human rights cases. Together with the freedom-loving Filipinos, we express the gratitude of the Filipino nation for his sacrifices and those of his family members offered to make a better Philippines,” Escudero said.

Arroyo was part of such lawyers' groups as Mabini and the Free Legal Assistance Group which provided legal assistance to victims of rights violations.

“We cannot repay his sincerity, courage and fortitude and strength amid challenges he had encountered while serving the parliament of the streets and the halls of Congress and Senate,” Escudero added.

Sotto said Arroyo was a model lawmaker.

“He left a mark of what an excellent and superb legislator should be. He will be remembered as a good public servant who will now be debating with a far greater August Body,” Sotto said.

Senator Pia Cayetano described Arroyo as her mentor for nine years.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Senator Joker Arroyo. More than a colleague, he was a mentor to me for nine years, and my seatmate for three years in the 15th Congress (2010-2013). I looked up to him for his wisdom as a seasoned lawyer and legislator, who always spoke with eloquence and humor,” Cayetano said.

She added that Arroyo would share his observations and political analysis of events with her, reminding her to always observe people and events closely to get a better understanding of a political issue.

“And for those who didn’t know him, he truly lived up to his name. He would often make jokes about us, his colleagues, and was one of the few who could get away with his catty, on-the-spot remarks directed at his colleagues,” Cayetano said.

“When I entered the session hall today, I could almost feel his presence. His contributions to the richness of Philippine legislation will be carried in the journals and records of Congress, and will influence policies for future generations. I was privileged to know him and to learn from one of the best. I will treasure his friendship and memory forever,” she added.

A scrooge for scrimping

Senator Ralph Recto said if Arroyo was a scrooge for his economical use of office funds, there is one area that he did not scrimp on: offering his legal mind for free to those who need it most but cannot afford it.

“If he had a good heart, it was because his favorite form of exercise was to bend down and pull someone out of the gutter. Which he did when he was still Citizen Joker," Recto said.

"When he arrived at the Senate, he already had a life’s worth of achievements, great victories he won without wearing the mantle of parliamentary immunity. This country owes much of its freedom to him, as do hundreds whose liberty he secured,” he said.

Recto added that Joker was incorrigible and loved to tilt the windmills and tussle with the powerful.

“He was a solitary gunfighter, drawing strength from the righteousness of his crusade, never taking comfort in the number of people who share his belief," Recto said.

"Joker Arroyo was a patriot first class. Having walked in his shadows, I will always remember him as the boy in the fable who had the courage and the candor, who never failed and never tired, to shout that the emperor was wearing no clothes,” he added.

“In our next Wednesday Group dinner, we will raise a glass to you,” said Recto, referring to their group senators that entered the chamber in 2001. They include Manuel Villar, Francis Pangilinan and Noli De Castro.

‘Younger generation should not forget’

Senator Teofisto Guingona III expressed his condolences to the family of Arroyo for the loss of a loving father and to the nation “for the loss of a staunch advocate for good governance that our country truly deserves.”

“I share this pain because more than a colleague, Senator Joker was a comrade in the battle against corruption in public office as we both sat as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee," Guingona said.

"Having known and worked alongside Senator Arroyo is truly a privilege and this country will never be the same without a man of honor and integrity such as Senator Joker Arroyo,” he added.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, on the other hand, said the younger generation should not forget Arroyo’s contribution to nation-building.  

“They should know that he fought for the restoration of democracy in the Philippines. He fought in the courts and in the streets for the restoration of our civil and political rights which we enjoy today,” Angara said.

Detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, in an emailed press statement, said he is saddened upon hearing the news of Arroyo’s untimely demise.

“I will forever cherish fond memories of him, including his banters and witty remarks before the start of the plenary sessions and even during legislative deliberations on the floor," Estrada said.

"I am truly fortunate to have worked with a brilliant mind like Sen. Arroyo, a seasoned legislator, topnotch human rights lawyer, in the Senate. The entire nation is deeply honored and thankful for his honest and principled service to the Filipino people,” he added. —NB, GMA News