Chiz’s father ex-Minister Escudero dies

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Sorsogon Rep Salvador “Sonny” Escudero III passed away early morning today, Monday, August 13.

“My father, Representative Salvador “Sonny” H. Escudero joined our Creator at 3:30 a.m today. He died in his sleep at home in Sanville, Quezon City after battling colorectal cancer for almost two years,” his son Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said in a statement.
 
“While we mourn the passing of our father, we thank everyone who cared for him and supported him in life, and we thank those who continue to pour their love, support and prayers for him and our family in this most trying moment,” he added.

Escudero, the last agriculture minister of the Marcos regime, is the father of Sen Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr thanked Rep Escudero for his “significant legislative contributions.”

“In behalf of the House of Representatives, my family, and the Filipino people, I extend to him our deep gratitude for the many years of worthy service he has rendered from the time he was Minister of Food and Agriculture during the Marcos era to the very end. His has been a colorful career marked by countless significant legislative contributions particularly in the area of education and agriculture,” Belmonte said in a statement.

Despite his ailment, Rep Escudero tried his best effforts to attend all plenary sessions called by the House of Representatives. In June, he was still seen attending – in a wheelchair – the joint hearing of the House committee on basic education and the committee on higher education to discuss the government’s proposed K+12 program.

“He was in good spirits as he steered the course of the entire meeting, despite being sick. He could have easily delegated the responsibility of chairing the committee meeting but he was clearly very passionate about his work,” said Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, who co-chaired the joint hearing with Rep Escudero.

Rep Escudero chaired the committee on basic education while Angara chairs the committee on higher education.

“Manong Sonny was also the most dedicated mebers of the Houe , awlasy present during sessions. He would even personlally answer letters to him in his own handwriting,” Angara added.

Rep Escudero’s remains was brought to the main chapel of Mt. Carmel in New Manila, Quezon City.

On Wednesday, August 15, it will be transferrd to the House of Representatives at the Batasan Complex. The lower House will host a requiem mass followed by a necrological service for Rep Escudero starting 9 a.m.. It will be held at the Plenary Hall.

His remains will be returned to Mt. Carmel Church, New Manila, Quezon City after lunch on the same day. On August 16, Rep Salvador’s body will be flown to Sorsogon. Escudero said a final wake will be until Saturday, August 18, in their hometown in Sorsogon City.
 
Rep Escudero’s remains will be transported back to Quezon City on Sunday morning. A mass wil be held at the Arlington Memorial Chapel in Araneta Avenue, Quezon City where his remains will be cremated. His ashes will be brought to the columbary at The Christ The King Parish in E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City. – Rappler.com