Senator Sonny Angara on Monday, May 23 expressed his deep condolences on the passing of Susan Roces, mother of Sen. Grace Poe, during his opening prayer at the resumption of the Senate’s Third Regular Session.

“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the passing of Susan Roces, a true icon and pillar of Philippine cinema, and mother to one of our most esteemed colleagues, Sen. Grace Poe,” Angara said.

“Everyone in this august chambers extends their deepest condolences to thr bereaved family. It is to them and to the dearly departed that we offer this prayer,” he said.

And “as the curtain falls” on some of their colleagues in the 18th Congress, Angara commended them for their invaluable contribution to making the Upper Chamber imbued with “more dignity and gravitas, because of the wisdom, diligence, and brilliance they have imparted on all of us.”

“We pray to you, O Lord, to bless our outgoing Senate President (Vicente) Tito Sotto (III), a very fair and honorable leader, whose stable hand had help steer the chamber through the greatest humanitarian crisis in recent history; our Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, our tax legislation idol; our Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, whose principled opposition has helped craft well-balanced, and forward-thinking legislation that will benefit many generations of Filipinos; the senator who braves all odds, Senator Richard Gordon; the man of honor and dignity, Sen. (Panfilo) Ping Lacson; our senator who's very remarkable for his fight for agricultural modernization, Senator (Francis) Kiko Pangilinan; the fearless Senator Leila de Lima, and of course, the legend, the idol of every Filipino household, Senator Manny Pacquiao,” he stressed.

“They all served the country well. And though their terms are ending here in the Senate, we are confident that in their respective capacities, they will continue to serve our countrymen. May You grant them the best in life, dear God,” Angara prayed.

Angara also prayed for protection and guidance to the newly duly elected leaders and public servants, “that they may fulfill their promises of good and honest governance for the betterment of our people.”

At least 15 senators were physically present during the resumption of the Senate’s session. Six (6) senators participated virtually namely: Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Pangilinan, Recro. Gordon, Lito Lapid and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. Sen. de Lima, on the other hand, remains detained.