Officials mourn passing of Jovy Salonga, ‘the best President we never got’

Officials from all branches of government have expressed their grief over the country losing another one of its elder statesmen, former Senate President Jovito Salonga.

Commission on Human Rights chairman Chito Gascon on Thursday said that he has been informed by Salonga's family that the 95-year-old advocate against corruption and human rights violations already died.

Supreme Court spokesperson Attorney Theodore Te described Salonga as the “best President we never got.”

“Paalam, Ka Jovy Salonga. He was the last candidate for president that I voted for and IMO, with Ka Pepe, the best President we never got,” Te said, who was also referring to Jose W. Diokno.

According to the Supreme Court, Salonga topped the bar examinations in 1944, tied with a grade of 95.3 percent with Diokno.

Salonga also and had law degrees from the University of the Philippines (Ll.B.), Harvard University (Ll.M.) and Yale University (J.S.D.).

The SC in a statement described him as "an intellectual mentor and role model to many generations of lawyers through his courage and integrity."

Salonga also taught law and was a professor to many of the country's prominent lawyers.

The SC said it recognized his contribution to the shaping of modern jurisprudence in basic human rights and fundamental civil liberties, especially during Martial Law and after the restoration of democracy in 1986.

"His death is a great loss to the legal profession and to the country," the high court said.

Respected statesman

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago also took to Twitter to extend her condolences to Salonga's family.

“We have lost a respected statesman today. My deepest sympathies to the family of former Senator Jovito Salonga,” Santiago tweeted.

In a statement, Malacañang paid tribute to Salonga and his role in the restoration of democracy in the country after years of being under the Marcos dictatorship.

He was also praised as an example of a selfless public servant.

“With heads bowed in grief and respect, we extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Senator Jovito Salonga," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.

"His passing marks the departure from this life of another of those brave, committed individuals who lit a candle during the deep darkness of the dictatorship; and who contributed to the restoration of our democratic way of life after the triumph of People Power,” he added.

Passionate advocate

As a “passionate advocate of the rule of law, of nationalism” and the country’s democratic institutions, Lacierda said Salonga was among those who have made the position of being a senator “an honorable and respectable, thing.”

“His life stands as a reproach to all those who would put personal gain ahead of public service; who would lower the standards of public discourse; and who would sacrifice human rights and the rule of law either for personal or partisan advantage,” Salonga said.

In view of the upcoming elections, Lacierda said Salonga’s passing poses a challenge to all those who seeking an elective post “to live up to a life well lived as a patriot and citizen.”

Salonga was a staunch opponent of the Marcos regime who defended political prisoners detained without charges during Martial Law.

Tough act to follow

Given his various accomplishments, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Salonga was "a tough act to follow.”

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Jovy (Salonga’s nickname) for dedicating his talents, bravery and his life’s work to the Filipino people. He is a tough act to follow and a source of pride for us,” Belmonte said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay remembered Salonga as a “pillar of the protest movement who steered the Senate during the difficult years of transition from dictatorship to democracy.”

Senator Grace Poe urged the public to relive in their deeds Salonga’s legacy about fighting for freedom.

“I will always remember his famous words: ‘We cannot and do not deserve freedom unless we are prepared to fight for it, to suffer for it and, if necessary, to die for it,’” she said.

PCGG, Kilosbayan

Following the restoration of democracy in 1986, he headed the Philippine Commission on Good Government, which was tasked with the recovery of ill-gotten wealth from the dictator and his cronies.

Salonga was subsequently elected to the Senate in 1987 and served as Senate President until 1991 before running for the presidency in 1992.

After his retirement from the government, Salonga remained active in public service through Kilosbayan, an avenue for raising the public’s awareness and participation in governance, and the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation.

He was awarded the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service. -with Mark Merueñas/NB, GMA News