Senate pays tribute to late Sen. Aytona

Incumbent and former senators paid their last respects to former Senator Dominador Aytona during necrological services at the Senate on Monday.

Aytona passed away last September 26 at the age of 99.

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III presented Senate Resolution No. 67, expressing the Senate’s condolences to Aytona's family and recognizing his achievements as an educator, cabinet member and senator.

“The life of former Senator Dominador Aytona is also about making use of this success to help others, especially those who are most in need,” Pimentel said in his eulogy.

“Despite reaching the height of success in his chosen field, Senator Aytona did not forget the welfare of the ordinary Filipino. Every law he crafted was aimed at improving the quality of life of the Filipino people,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Senator Edgar “Eddie” Ilarde said he was “lucky to have brushed elbows with such a man of intellect and love for the Filipino.”

“Manoy Doming lived a full life, sharing the joys of life, serving the people, enjoying God’s blessings with humility, honesty and compassion for his fellow men,” Ilarde said.

In response,  Elica Aytona Ponce de Leon, granddaughter of the late senator, expressed gratitude to everyone who offered their condolences and prayers for her grandfather.

Other distinguished officials who were present during the necrological rites were former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, former Senator Alfredo Lim, incumbent Senators Gringo Honasan and Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate Secretariat officials.

During his term, Aytona authored landmark legislation such as the student’s loan fund authority, salary standardization of the employees of the General Auditing Office, salary increase of the employees of the Bureau of post and the formation of the Price Control Council. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News