Nene Pimentel remembered for principled fortitude, leaving with honor intact

Former Senate President Aqulino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. has drawn tributes from friends and colleagues at the Senate in the emotional-laden days since his death last October 20.

A principled stateman, humble mentor and firm freedom-fighter, who got in and out of politics unstained and honorable -- friends, young and old, delivered these words of exaltation that have captured the true measure of the man.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said with Pimentel’s life, he realized that one can enter and leave politics with his integrity intact as he thanked the former lawmaker’s family for sharing him with the country.

“May you all be comforted by the thought that Senate President Nene Pimentel is dearly loved by one and all in this nation, and congratulate you for having had a loving husband and father, thanking you for sharing him with the people of the Philippines, and his legacy of social justice, courage and the laws he sponsored,” he said in his eulogy after handing the Senate resolution honoring Pimentel to his family.

“Senate President Nene Pimentel, Jr.,  salamat po sa pamanang kaisipan na ngayon ko lang nabatid -  “Puede naman palang pumasok sa pulitika, at mamaalam ng marangal pa rin.” Paalam po,” he added.

He said he gained from Pimentel’s wise counsel as early as 1992.

“I have earlier confessed that if I have any familiarity with the whys and wherefores of serving my colleagues in the Senate, I would attribute it to the experience of working with a number of my models and icons in public service in this chamber.  Right there in the group of my top mentors would be Senate President Nene Pimentel, whose humility, simplicity of style, and decorum make us all proud that we are his friends. To him the term statesman would be more appropriate, rather than politician,” he said.

Former senator Joey Lina, who described himself as Pimentel’s errand boy, said he lost a father, teacher, and friend but more than that his grief comes from a realization that the country has lost “a great Filipino and statesman who champion freedom, human rights, and the pursuit of excellence in local governance.”

“For his principled fortitude during trying times, for his moral uprightness, endearing sincerity and humility, legislative brilliance, unquestionable integrity, and a host of other virtues that make him an outstanding Filipino, Nene is truly legendary and shall be deeply missed,” said Lina. 

Former senator Rene Saguisag said the country lost someone who was totally focused on doing his work for the country.

“Hindi kapakanan pang sarili kundi kapakanan pambayan. I hope that will be passed on to those who come after us,” he said.

He also jokingly asked the Pimentel to tell his late wife Dulce that he kept his promise to her that  he will not look at another woman again. 

Former senator Nikky Coseteng said Pimentel was a man of focus who embodied  the values  that a nationalist and human rights warrior espoused such as conviction, passion, and statemanship.

“Throughout those several decades, he remained firm and decisive, unyielding in his principles and causes but always willing to listen to other views,” she said.

“I believe Nene’s core strength also came from his devotion and love for his family which cascaded to his commitment and passion for his country,” he added.

Former senator Orly Mercado considers Pimentel as his silent mentor who helped him when he took the cudgels for an issue that is not yet big at that time which is climate change.

He added one of the important lessons he picked from Pimentel was humility.

“Most leaders believe they are the center of the world. Nene Pimentel was serious about his humility but he was not proud of his humility. Nene Pimentel’s life was one of public service,” he said.

“Nene Pimentel was serious about his job but did not take himself too seriously. I loved his sense of humor. He had perfect timing. And he had time for others specially the disadvantaged. He was a fighter for democracy and gave much of himself for others,” Mercado added.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said Pimentel’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino or PDP was one of their inspirations as the first modern genuine ideological political party when they were organizing Akbayan Party in the mid-1990s.

“And even in these past two years, he remained one of our finest elder statesmen. After all, more than our achievements, more than our personal glory, I believe, we are the things we protect. And Ka Nene, protected and defended our country. Wala pong bahid ng duda, ipinaglaban at minahal ni Ka Nene ang ating bayan,” she said.

She recalled that Pimentel told her to keep fighting as being part of the opposition is difficult.

“Ka Nene said to me on the sidelines of a Senate hearing on Charter Change, ‘I’ve been there in the Senate before, like you. It’s so difficult to be a Minority, but regardless, keep fighting’,” Hontiveros said.

“Ka Nene, you told me to keep fighting. I promise you, I will; we will. I’m so proud to have known you, and will miss you very much,” she added.

An emotional Senator Pia Cayetano said she has grappled since Sunday morning to find the right words to honor his Tito Nene.

“Tito Nene did grand things. There’s no doubt about that. But for me and those who knew him well, we will remember him for the small things. For what is greatness without kindness? Without humility? Without compassion? Traits I saw in my seatmate and mentor for many years.  Whenever he fought for on the floor, I saw it up close. Beyond the brilliant legislator and defender of democracy that he was, I got to know the kind and gentle person who was a loving husband to Tita Bing and father to their children. His kindness extended to me. I felt like I had a father who was looking after me and guiding me,” she said.

She added that in a world where trading barbs and sometimes the use of foul language can be the norm, she cannot even recall Pimentel saying an unkind word about someone.

“Thinking about him while writing this, I am reminded  of how generous he was with praise and how slow he was to criticize,” she said, her voice breaking.

“The Senate staff would know that we were still in the building because my pink water bottle and his cup of pencils and pens would still be on our table. I have since upgraded my water bottle to a bamboo tumbler. He has turned in his cup for one that flows eternally,” said Cayetano. —LDF, GMA News