Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koshikawa Kazuhiko and the Delegation of the European Union in the Philippines sent their condolences to the family of the late former senator Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon, who died on June 12 after an almost year-long battle with lung cancer.
Former senator Rodolfo Biazon (Photos from Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon)
The Japanese envoy took to Twitter to offer his “deepest condolences” and commended the former senator for his “patriotism.”
“My deepest condolences to the family and friends of former (Philippine) Senator Rodolfo Biazon,” he wrote.
“His exemplary patriotism and consummate statesmanship, most notably as a seasoned legislator and CS (chief of staff), Armed Forces of the Philippines will forever be remembered. May his soul rest in peace,” Kazuhiko added.
EU’s embassy in Manila also sent their sympathies via Twitter.
“The EUinthePhilippines expressed its condolences to the family of a statesman, Senator Rodolfo Biazon,” it said in a post with EU and Philippine flag emojis.
EU recognized Biazon’s work in the country’s Reproductive Health Bill, which was among the legislations he passed as a lawmaker.
“Senator Biazon was known to be a main proponent of the Reproductive Health Bill now a Law that the (EU) welcomed,” it added.
Biazon, the former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), died at age 88 due to complications of pneumonia. His son, Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, also confirmed that the former Marine was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2022.
Prior to becoming AFP chief of staff, he was a Philippine Marine Corps general. He was also a member of the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016.