Senators pay tribute to late Senator Ziga in necro rites

Incumbent and former senators honored former Senator Victor S. Ziga, who passed away on January 31 at the age of 75, during a hybrid necrological service held at the Senate session hall on Wednesday.

Ziga was accorded arrival honors led by Senate President Tito Sotto, family members of the former senator, and Senate officials.

The Senate President presented to the family of the late senator Senate Resolution 84, expressing the profound sympathy and sincere condolences of the Senate on the death Ziga who served the chamber from 1987 to 1992.

“The passing away of a great and dedicated public servant, who had established standards of excellence in and devotion to public service, is a great loss to the nation,” it read in part.

Sotto, in his eulogy, said Ziga’s life as a public servant truly mirrored the ideals as a man for the masses, being involved in numerous typhoon relief operations and other civic organizations.

“When the pages of our history would be reviewed by the coming generations of students and the public, they would be convinced that there was a man who did his work quietly and without fanfare and pomposity but only the best interest of his country,” Sotto said.

Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said Ziga was a brilliant legislator who was behind landmark legislations like the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education, the Local Government Code of 1991, and the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers.

“Senator Victor Ziga was a doer through and through; a workhorse who got things done without needing much fanfare. Instead his legacy persists through the work he has left behind… Even beyond his political career, he devoted himself to helping the Filipino in any way he could–medical missions, relief operations, emergency response,” Zubiri said.

Ziga, according to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, was a simple man who was raised to be of service to the Filipino people.

Apart from being one of the magnificent 12 who voted against the extension of the Phil-US bases treaty in 1991, Ziga also ensured that health care workers were protected by passing the Magna Carta of public health workers, a measure that is significant today because of the pandemic health workers would have to address, Drilon said.

Senator Win Gatchalian said that apart from being a statesman, a lawyer and a business leader, Ziga was also a family friend.

“Vic Ziga earnestly carried on this proud family tradition by making significant contributions to nation building in these turbulent times in our republic’s history. Throughout his distinguished career as a member of the Batasan Pambansa, cabinet secretary, and senator of the 8th Congress of the Philippines. Sen. Ziga embodied the patriotism, integrity and competence we should expect from every Filipino leader,” Gatchalian said

Senator Bong Go vowed to continue Ziga’s advocacy against the use and abuse of illegal drugs.

“As a new senator, former Senator Ziga is an inspiration to me and to the new generation of senators and public servants,” Go said.

Senator Manny Pacquiao described Ziga as a noble public servant who used his influence to protect the weak and the vulnerable sector, including the youth and the senior citizen.

“We take comfort knowing that he maximized his potentials by serving the people. He was a noble public servant, lived his life to the fullest and we are all inspired… I am inspired,” he said.

On behalf of the family, Albay Board Member Vic Ziga Jr. expressed his gratitude for the honor given to his father by the Senate.

“I’m sure he will visit the Senate halls where he once was honored by the Filipino people in having a seat and being of service to his country,” he said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)