By Mario B. Casayuran
The leadership of the 74-year-old Liberal Party (LP) paid tribute today to former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga who was born 100 years ago.
Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, LP president, described Salonga as a ’’ true patriot and statesman.’’
Pangilinan said Salonga served as leader of the Liberal Party – ‘’guided by his wisdom, selflessness, and love for country.’’ Salonga was the 14th chief of the Senate of the Philippines.
Salonga, who served as Senate President from 1987 to 1992, led a group of 12 senators in rejecting the proposed extension of the RP-US Military Base Agreement in September, 1991.
‘’Ka Jovy has endured many battles that maimed his body, but not his spirit. He has confronted the plagues of dictatorship, corruption, and economic crisis, and he carried on,’’ Pangilinan said.
‘’How fascinating it would have been if the gentle sage and fighter that is Ka Jovy were here, amid a pandemic endangering the people's health and livelihood, and an anti-terrorism bill threatening their rights,’’ he stressed.
‘’Birthdays are for celebration of life, struggles, and triumphs. We are grateful for the encounters and lessons we had with Ka Jovy in his lifetime. We are fired up to carry his work forward,’’ he added.
Pangilinan said that Salonga represents the enduring LP tradition of service and love of country.