Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. has remembered former president Fidel V. Ramos who was his "first and true" mentor in public service.
As he offered his condolences to the loved ones of the former president, who passed away at the age of 94 on Sunday, July 31, Revilla paid tribute to the contributions of Ramos, particularly for leading the country as it transformed from being the "sick man of Asia" to being the "Tiger of the Region."
"His legacy is the foundation upon which later administrations have built upon. He transformed the Philippines from being the sick man of Asia to the Tiger of the Region," the senator said.
Revilla said Ramos, who is best known for his initials FVR, "was one of the best," as he recalled that he was the first to convince him to enter politics and mentored him through the years.
READ: Farewell, FVR
"It was President Ramos who convinced me to join public service as he invited me to Lakas-CMD. After some three decades, I continue to be with the Lakas espousing its ideals," he said.
Ramos was the chairman emeritus of his political party, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).
"He was my first and true mentor as I forayed into politics, being elected as Cavite's vice governor in 1995. Up to this day, FVR is an inspiration and an example I greatly look up to," Revilla said.