Three more senators mourn the passing of former Senator Rodolfo "Pong" G. Biazon.
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero lauded Biazon as the “decorated military general for serving the Philippines “impeccably” all throughout his more than five decades in government service.
Escudero, likewise, extended his prayers and condolences to the Biazon family through Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, who announced the death of the Biazon patriarch this morning due to severe pneumonia.
“My sincerest condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones of Senator Rodolfo ‘Pong’ Biazon, a former colleague in the Senate and a fellow worker in government who served his country impeccably,” Escudero said.
Escudero and Biazon became colleagues in the Upper Chamber during the latter’s last remaining three years from 2007 to 2010. The Bicolano senator was then serving his first six-year term in the Senate.
According to Mayor Biazon, the former senator was diagnosed with lung cancer in July of 2022 and underwent chemotherapy. Last month up until his death, the elder Biazon was confined at the Asian Hospital for severe pneumonia that further weakened his lungs.
The elder Biazon was born on April 14, 1935 in Batac, Ilocos Norte and took up mechanical engineering at FEATI University before deciding to enter the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1957.
According to his Senate biography, Biazon served in the following posts:
Superintendent of PMA in 1986-87, Commandant of the Philippine Marines in 1987-89,
Commanding General of the NCR Defense Command in 1988-90,
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Vice Chief of Staff in 1990-91 and
AFP Chief of Staff in 1991.
Considered a military hero and a defender of democracy, Biazon quelled several coup attempts by the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) against the administration of President Corazon C. Aquino.
Biazon was first elected to the Senate in 1992 and was reelected in 1998. In 2010, he ran and won as congressman of the lone district of Muntinlupa and was reelected in 2013. He retired from politics in 2016.
"Today is a day of sorrow, due to the passing of our beloved former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff and Senator Rodolfo Biazon,” Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla said, in a separate statement.
"As the Philippine flag was raised today to mark the 125th anniversary of our country's independence, I remember the honor of having known Senator Pong Biazon— a public servant who stood tall for our Motherland's democracy and freedom,” he added.
Padilla said Biazon’s principles, both as a soldier and as a lawmaker, “will be one legacy we will never forget.”
“His place in our history is secure, and what he has left behind - which was briefly considered to be made into a movie where I would have played a role - will always be an inspiration to me,” he stressed.
"I am one with the Filipino people who mourn the loss of a great public servant, yet remain thankful for the service he rendered to our Motherland. My salute!” he added.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the nation mourns the passing of a true patriot and hero, former Senator Rodolfo Gaspar Biazon, who coincidentally died on Independence Day.
"I had the privilege to work with Senator Pong at the Commission on Appointments (CA) in the 14th Congress. I was the first Partylist Representative to join the CA representing the opposition then and it was Senator Pong who showed me the tricks of the trade and ways on how to become a more effective CA member,” Villanueva said.
“I will never forget the lessons he has taught me as well as his sense of humor which has been intact until his final days,” the majority leader added.