Ex-senator Butz Aquino dies

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 2) – Former Senator Agapito “Butz” Aquino, uncle of the President, died Monday afternoon, August 17. He was 76.

The information was confirmed by his other nephew, Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, saying he died of “natural causes.”

Butz Aquino is a founder of the August Twenty-One Movement or ATOM, which spearheaded protest actions against the Marcos dictatorship after his older brother, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr, was assassinated at the tarmac in Manila on August 21, 1983.

When Ninoy’s widow Corazon (mother of the current president Benigno III) was swept to power in 1986, Butz ran for senator the following year and got the second highest number of votes, next to Jovito Salonga. He served until 1995.

From 1998 to 2007, he served as congressman of the 2nd district of Makati City, running under the party of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, now the Vice President.

Street parliamentarian

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda recalled that Butz Aquino “had originally chosen a quiet life as an entrepreneur, but in the face of the dictatorship’s tyranny” decided to play “a prominent role in the parliament of the streets” against Marcos.

He said Butz Aquino was “the first public figure to ask Filipinos from all walks of life to gather at the Isetann department store and provide civilian protection to those elements of the Armed Forces and Constabulary that had decided to go against the dictatorship.” This led to the people power mass-up on EDSA.

Vice President  Binay said the former senator remained a dear and “true friend” until his last days.

During their time as street parliamentarians, he said, “nagpakita ng tapang at prinsipyo si Butz” (Butz showed courage and principle).

“At kahit noong siya ay naging senador at kongresista, ni minsan ay hindi niya ginamit ang kanyang posisyon at ang pagiging kapamilya ng Pangulo upang isulong ang pansariling interes,” Binay said.

(And even when he became senator and congressman, he not even once used his position and his being a relative of the President to serve his own interests.)

Senate President Franklin Drilon said: “I join the nation in mourning the demise of a good friend, former Senator Butz Aquino…. As a legislator, his legacy laws have been benefiting our countrymen, such as the Magna Carta for Small Farmers and the Cooperative Code of the Philippines. On behalf of the Senate, I extend our condolences to the family of Butz.” 

Senator Bam Aquino said that while most people would remember his uncle “for his bravery and leadership during the martial law days leading to People Power” and for working “tirelessly until his final days supporting the cooperative movement,” he was to him “my favorite Ninong (godfather), always kind and supportive.”

“He brought joy, happiness and laughter to those around him. He will be missed by his loved ones and comrades,” the senator said. – Rappler.com