The statement of Cagayan de Oro City mayor Oscar Moreno on the passing of former Senate President and city mayor Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. on Sunday. (Image courtesy of the City Information Office)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Local leaders paid tribute to this city's former mayor and favorite son, ex-Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., who passed away early Sunday (October 20) in Manila.
Mayor Oscar Moreno said he was saddened by the passing of Pimentel, whom locals affectionately called Tatay Nene, and called on Kagay-anons to pray "that God will grant his soul eternal rest and peace."
Moreno said he will ask the former senator's family to bring his remains here for public viewing, noting that Pimentel served as this city's mayor in the early 80s and became widely popular after he served some time in prison for defying the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.
Statesman
“The people of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental would be especially honored to pay our last respects and to give a tribute to Sen. Nene here in [Cagayan de Oro], as I am sure that our neighbors here in Mindanao would also join us,” the mayor said.
In a text message, the city’s (2nd District) Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said: “Former Senate President Nene Pimentel will be remembered as a freedom fighter who resisted martial law. He was imprisoned several times for his unwavering belief in democracy.”
“He (Pimentel) went on to serve the Senate with utmost dedication and integrity. He authored our Local Government Code, a big step towards decentralization and autonomy in our country,” Rodriguez said.
“He trail-blazed the proposal for a federal system for our country to develop our countryside. He was a great statesman, a true Mindanaonon, of our country and we in Cagayan de Oro are proud of our native son,” the lawmaker added.
Community media
Before he entered public service, Tatay Nene was active in community media and was a charter member of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club.
When he was mayor in 1982, Pimentel issued an executive order for the annual observance of Press Freedom Week every May, a commemoration that is still being observed to this day.
Broadcast journalist Manny Jaudian recalled that he was a radio reporter in 1980 "when I personally met Sen. Nene Pimentel in Cagayan de Oro. He was then our mayor."
“Your favorite song ‘You Are My Sunshine’ will forever be embedded in our hearts. [Rest in peace], sir Nene Pimentel. You have served our country well,” Jaudian said.
In a text message, Marlo Tabac, barangay chairman of Gusa in this city, said Pimentel's passing was "very painful to me. We have lost a man who has great plans for this country.”
PDP-Laban legacy
Tabac is the Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental council president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), the political party founded by Pimentel in 1982 to oppose the brutal rule of the dictator Marcos.
In 1983, PDP merged with Lakas ng Bayan, founded by former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1978.
Today, PDP-Laban is the country’s ruling party, with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte as its current national chairman.
In a statement, PDP-Laban Secretary-General and Davao del Norte First District Congressman Pantaleon Alvarez said: "The party mourns the loss of our founder, the icon of democracy and a freedom fighter."
"PDP-Laban is not what is now, without his courage and determination to unite the political forces especially those from Mindanao to have a voice and be represented in the political capital, he will always be our inspiration, he was selfless and a father to every member of the party," Alvarez said.
He added: "We are hoping that his death will be a reminder to each party member that service to the people is important, above political lines, that his sacrifices will become our source of strength to further foster the party towards a greater goal for the country."
Uniting figure
Elsewhere in Mindanao, Pimentel is remembered for his effort to unite the island's ethnic and religious groups.
Zia Alonto Adiong, a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, said that the late statesman contributed to foster peace between Muslims and Christians during his stint as mayor in the 80s.
"When being asked for a comment on the influx of Meranao settlers in the city of Cagayan de Oro in the late 80s to the early 90s, Sen. Nene Pimentel appealed to the locals that not only do Meranaos be treated as brothers, but to open Cagayan de Oro as their home," Alonto recalled.
Iligan City Lone District Rep. Frederick Siao remembered Pimentel as "both fierce and compassionate."
"Throughout his political career, he brought Mindanao issues to the front and center of the national consciousness. He is loved and respected all over Mindanao as a man of principle and love for the poor and marginalized," he said.
Siao described the late senator as a "hero of Mindanao."
Federalism
Meanwhile, Arnold Garbanzos, head of the Iliganon Advocate of a Federal Government, said Pimentel's passing was a great loss to the cause of federalism in the country.
However, Garbanzos said the late senator's death was not the end of the federal movement in the country.
"His death, however, does not stop our advocacy for subsidiarity and decentralization--the two main tenets of the federal movement," he said.
"We will continue his fight and legacy for a truly federal Philippine Republic until we achieve our goal to make this nation a truly democratic one," he added.
Alvarez agreed, saying the federal movement hopes "that the seed of Federalism he sow, will bear fruits with the able leadership of Senator Koko Pimentel."
Landmark laws
Pimentel’s primary contribution as a legislator was the Local Government Code of 1991, the landmark law that gave local government units powers to collect taxes, fees, and charges and impose important political functions in their respective jurisdictions.
He also authored and sponsored laws that created the Philippine Sports Commission, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the Philippine National Police. (PNA)
