MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Senate on Tuesday, May 15, adopted a resolution honoring former Senate president Edgardo Angara, who passed away due to heart attack.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III sponsored Senate Resolution 73 expressing profound sympathy and sincere condolences of the chamber to Angara’s family. (READ: Gov’t officials pay tribute to ex-Senate president Edgardo Angara)

The resolution would be given to Angara’s family during necrological rites on Wednesday, May 16.

“This resolution states, enumerates the illustrious and colorful career of former Senate president Angara as public servant, which spanned almost 5 decades,” Pimentel said.

“If you look at the number of laws, landamark laws, authored and passed by former Senate president Angara, you could not help but shake your head and not believe that someone could achieve all of this,” Pimentel added.

As a matter of tradition, the Senate just briefly opened then adjourned it in honor of their former colleague.

On Wednesday, at 10 am, the Senate would hold a necrological service. The following officials are confirmed to deliver their eulogies:

• Former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
• Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Erap Estrada
• Former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr
• Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III
• Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
• Senator Loren Legarda
• Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri
• Senator Vicente Tito Sotto
• Senator Joel Villanueva
• Senator Ralph Recto
• Senator Richard Gordon
• Former senator and Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano

The former Senate president, who hails from Baler, Aurora, began his political career when he was elected in Quezon as a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention.

Angara eventually became “the longest serving senator in the post-EDSA Senate,” states a brief biography sent to media by the office of his son,  Sen. Sonny Angara. The late Sen. Angara served as Senate president from 1993 to 1995, during the administration of President Fidel Ramos.

He pushed for the passage of laws on the Free High School Act, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the National Health Insurance Act (PhilHealth), Senior Citizens Act, the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), the Renewable Energy Act, and the Procurement Reform Act.

He also authored the laws creating the National Museum and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), among others. 

Prior to his death, he served as Special Envoy to the European Union. 

Angara’s interment has been moved to Tuesday, May 22, in Baler, Aurora, the office of Senator Sonny Angara announced on Friday. Public viewing in Baler starts Saturday May 19. 

Angara’s interment has been moved to Tuesday, May 22, in Baler, Aurora, the office of Senator Sonny Angara announced on Friday. Public viewing in Baler starts Saturday, May 19. – Rappler.com