/ OcroBER 22' 2019

TUESDAY
WWW.INQUIRER.NET

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Three more lawmakers on Mon-
day paid tribute to the late
former Senate President Aquili-
nd "Nene" Pimentel Jr., whom
they described as a "legendary
statesman."
Deputy SPeaker and Cibac
ReP. Eddie Villanueva
party list
described Pimentel as "patriotic
and brilliant" and "among the
few inspirations that a genuine
statesman can have."
He recalled how Pimentel
was imprisoned four times and
stood his ground anC rrrein-
, tained his integrity even though
he was offered to be released.
"He continued fighting for
freedom in odf counfiY, even on
the streets. He has fought the
battle and finished the racb,".
Villanueva said in a statement.
Minority Leader Bienvenido
Abante F., meanwhile, said Pi-
'mentel was a lawmaker '\Mhose
confiibutions to Philippine legisla-
. tion helped rebuild our democracy
followirg the Edsa revolutiorl"
"He was one of the few trulY
outstanding Mindanao-bom lead-
ers on the national stage, a Public
sewant who stood bY his Pdnci
ples regardless of whether he was
in the majority or fte minoritY"'
Abante said"
Magsasaka Party list ReP'
Areel Cabatbat said Pimentel
ins"pired him to "Pursue a life of
service for our country.'r
He dgscribed Pimentel as a
"statesman, a Principled leader
and an adYocate for social iustice
and freedom." -oaPHNE GAlvEz -

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