Past, present senators pay last respects to late Sen. Victor Ziga

Senate holds necrological service for the late Senator Victor Ziga @gmanews pic.twitter.com/3Iwff5PEh2

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) February 10, 2021

Past and present senators on Wednesday paid their last respects to the late former Senator Victor Ziga, who passed away on January 31.

A necrological service was conducted at the Senate session hall on Wednesday morning in honor of the late legislator, attended by his family, friends, and colleagues.

Zigs, who hailed from Albay, served as senator from 1987 to 1992.

He was among the 12 senators who were hailed for voting against the Republic of the Philippines-United States Bases Treaty in 1991.

He also pushed for the approval of Senior Citizens’ Law, the Local Government Code, and the Build, Operate, and Transfer Law.

'Man for the masses'

In his eulogy, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Ziga's life as a public servant "truly mirrors his ideals as a man for the masses," citing his patriotism and his advocacy for health and against illegal drugs.

"When the pages of our history would be reviewed by the coming generations of students and the public, they would be convinced that here was a man who did his work quietly and well, without fanfare and pomposity, but only the best interest of his country," he added.

For his part, former Senator Joey Lina remembered Ziga as a "pride of Bicolandia" and a "high achiever in life."

"With his attitude of striving excellence, his devotion to fulfill his avowed duties and responsibilities as senator was in full display as he put in long hours in the painstaking tasks of going over the complexities of the landmark legislation that will be so-called the Bible of local officials in the Philippines," he added.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said Ziga's life of hard work and dedication "remains a model we can all but hope to emulate."

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, on the other hand, said Ziga was "raised to be of service to the people."

"He enjoyed the company of the common people. He spoke their language, he knew about their personal struggles. He never refused anyone who visited his office for help," he said.

The Senate presented to the Ziga family Senate Resolution 48, expressing their profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the late senator's loved ones.

Vic Ziga Jr., son of the late legislator, thanked the senators for their thoughts, messages and fond memories of his father.

"My father was a public servant at heart, and was considered by many as their mentor, but more importantly as their friend whom they can turn to in times of need. His heart was always in the right place," he said. — RSJ, GMA News