Former Senate President Aquilino 'Nene' Pimentel, Jr. (PNA file photo)
COTABATO CITY -- The outpouring of grief and sympathy over the death of former senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. has continued, with Mindanao leaders recounting the public servant's major contributions to the island.
Officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) pointed out that the late senator "fought against tyranny and dedicated his life in pursuit of democracy and that his love for the country is manifested in several of his landmark legislation and countless efforts to represent the marginalized."
In a statement on Monday, the regional government said that as a statesman, the former Senate president had championed the cause of "his fellow Mindanaoans, including that of the Bangsamoro."
“We are grateful for his contributions during the long history of the Bangsamoro peace process: from the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, his support for the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and his efforts to push for Federalism — all of which are, of course, centered from his love for our people and the country,” the BARMM said.
BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim also acknowledged Pimentel's vision for a peaceful Mindanao and his effort to lay the foundation for Filipinos to live a better life.
In the Caraga region, members of the House of Representatives recounted Pimentel's contributions to empower local government units (LGUs).
Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Jose Francisco Matugas II described Pimentel as “a champion of local governance, an icon of democracy, a legend, a patriot, a true statesman, and a great Mindanaoan.”
“As a Mindanaoan legislator, I thank you, Senator Nene, for your life of sincere public service and for your faith in the Filipino people. If it were not for you, there would be no LGUs and model local government units would not be discovered," Matugas said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, on the other hand, said he was saddened with the “passing of a pillar of the anti-dictatorship struggle in Mindanao, a staunch advocate of democracy and human rights, a true patriot.”
Fortun expressed hope that the country would “not run out of Nene Pimentels,” adding that the late senator’s example and his story would continue to inspire the Filipino people and the coming generations.
On her Facebook account, Agusan del Norte 2nd District Rep. Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba said, “The province of Agusan del Norte conveys its deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved local autonomy icon and well-respected statesman, Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr.”
Matba added that Pimentel’s "genuine concern and audacious vision" for the country would never be forgotten.
Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel described the late senator as a complete statesman and a stalwart of democracy.
“Former Senate President Nene Pimentel, the father of PDP-Laban, was one of the most important figures who shaped modern Philippine democracy,” Rep. Pimentel said.
He added that the senator “lived a life that championed the political rights and freedom of the Filipino people,” and laid the strong foundation of local empowerment as the father of the Local Government Code.
Pimentel died on Sunday morning, October 20, at the age of 85. (PNA)
