Senators mourned the sudden passing of former Marikina Mayor Bayani “BF” Fernando on Friday, Sept. 22.

"I am shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of our colleague, Congressman, Chair, and Mayor Bayani Fernando of Marikina City," Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said in a statement.

He said that Fernando was a visionary, who dreamt of big ideas and then boldly implemented them.

"In making our cities liveable, he translated his concepts into concrete achievements, to show us by example that what are initially deemed as impossible can indeed be done," Zubiri said.

He said that Fernando was driven by a tireless work ethic and was a "human dynamo", always on the ground, first at the scene, whether to command rescue efforts or direct construction of public works.

Zubiri said that as a civil engineer by training and a social engineer by vocation, Fernando was always teaching important civic lessons that respect for the law and basic good manners are what make our communities great.

The senator offered more words of praise to the late official, who he said embodied the "never-say-die, can-do spirit of the Filipino", while also having the bragging rights to show for it, as Marikina the city he loved with all his heart is a living testament to his hard labor and high dreams.

"I had the pleasure of working alongside him in our days in Lakas-CMD, and I will always remember him as a hardworking man of the people, who’s left a huge imprint on the country, especially on his beloved Marikina and on the whole of Metro Manila," Zubiri said.

"We’re sending our prayers to his family in this difficult time," he added.

Sen. Francis Tolentino said that his innovation and creativity as the MMDA Chairman helped Metro Manila residents hurdle difficult urban challenges.

"We mourn the passing of a great leader. May he rest in peace," he said.