MANILA, Philippines – The Senate on Wednesday, September 27, adopted a resolution mourning the passage of former senator Dominador Aytona at the age of 99 on Tuesday, September 26.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III introduced Resolution 519, expressing the chamber’s profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the family of the former senator.

“[His] passing was a great loss not only to his bereaved family but to the nation as well,” Pimentel said.

The Senate will hold a necrological service for the late senator on Monday, October 2, at 10 am.

Aytona, who was born in Liboon, Albay, served as senator from 1965 to 1971, placing 6th in the November 1965 senatorial elections.

According to the resolution, Aytona served as chairman of the committees on civil service, ways and means, and finance during the 6th Congress.

He was instrumental in the passage of landmark legislative measures such as Republic Act 5531 or an Act Establishing the Bicol University and RA 6014 or an Act Creating the Students Loan Fund Authority, RA 6124 or an Act Providing for the Fixing of the Maximum Selling Prices of Essential Articles or Commodities, Creating the Price Control Council, among others.

After his term, Aytona worked in the private sector as an executive of a textile and garment manufacturer.

He finished his Business Administration degree at the University of Manila in 1947, graduating summa cum laude, Bachelor of Law degree in the same university in 1949 as magna cum laude, and Master of Laws in 1951 as cum laude.

Aytona placed 2nd in the 1950 Bar Examinations with an average score of 94.55%. He then joined the Senate as a financial adviser and met with then representative and former president Ramon Magsaysay.

In 1954, Magsaysay appointed Aytona as commissioner of the budget. He was also former finance secretary who held the concurrent position of chairman of the central bank’s Monetary Board.

Aytona was a Fulbright and Smith-Mundt Training Grant fellow and took special studies in public finance and budgeting. – Rappler.com