RODOLFO BIAZON ISANG TUNAY NA MAKABAYAN (Pakikiramay bumuhos sa pagpanaw ng dating senador, military chief)

Nagpaabot ng pakikiramay ang Senado at ng Kamara sa pagpanaw ng dating senador at kongresista at dati ring Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff na si Senador Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon.

Ipinarating nina Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri at House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez ang pakikidalamhati sa pamilya ni Biazon na pumanaw sa edad na 88-anyos.

Nagpahatid din ng pakikiramay sina Senador Bong Revilla, Senador Jinggoy Estrada, Senador Robinhood Padilla, Senador Sherwin Gatchalian at iba pang senador kay Biazon kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan.

“A brave soul has been summoned back to God’s army on a day that we Filipinos associate with bravery. That is a fitting tribute to Pong Biazon by the Almighty, telling us to emulate the great Filipino that he was,” sabi ni Romualdez.

Ayon naman kay Zubiri, magkahalong saya at lungkot ang nangyari ngayong araw na pagdiriwang ng Independence Day ay pagpanaw naman ni Biazon.

“This is a bittersweet Independence Day, as the nation mourns the passing of Senator Rodolfo Biazon, one of our staunchest defenders of the peace and democracy that we are enjoying today,” aniya.

“It was a gift to have been a novice senator during a time when Senator Biazon was still in office. I had the great fortune of learning from him, and being inspired by his uncompromising public service—not just as a veteran legislator but also as a veteran military man, having been the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. He brought that same military discipline and commitment to his work in the Senate, and to every aspect of his life as a public servant. I am grateful for the time that we spent in the Senate together, and I am glad we had one last chance to reconnect with him last November, when he attended the Senate reunion. He was as bright and astute as ever, and a fountain of guidance and wisdom for those of us currently in the Senate,” pahayag pa nito.

Sinabi naman ni Revilla, ang tauspusong pakikiramay sa mga naiwan ni Biazon.

“Ako po ay nakikidalamhati sa paglisan ng isa sa aking hinahangaan at tinitingalang kaibigan. I have had the honor of working with Senator Biazon beginning in 2004, at higit pa po ang aking karangalan na personal siyang makilala noong kami’y naging magkatuwang sa pangangampanya noon. Bago naman ‘yan ay nagkasama rin sila ni Daddy sa Senado,” aniya.

“He is the embodiment of a true officer and gentleman who devoted his entire life to serving the Philippines and the Filipino people, na damang-dama natin sa kanyang puso at pagmamahal sa bayan,” dagdag pa nito.

“Ang kanyang prinsipyo, bilang sundalo at bilang mambabatas, ay isa sa mga hindi natin malilimot sa makulay na buhay ni Senador Biazon. Ang kanyang bahagi sa ating kasaysayan ay minsan na pong napag-usapang buksan sa pinilakang tabing na gagampanan at isasabuhay ng inyong lingkod. Mula noon hanggang ngayon — ito po ay aking isasapuso bilang napakalaking karangalan,” sabi naman ni Padilla.

Sa panig naman ni Estrada, sinabi nitong hindi makakalimutan ng mga Filipino ang nagawa ni Biazon noong ito ay naging mambabatas.

“I had the privilege of working alongside Sen. Pong Biazon during the 13th and 14th Congress while my mother, former First Lady and Sen. Luisa “Loi” Ejercito Estrada were his contemporary in the 12th and 13th Congress,” ayon pa dito.

“We witnessed firsthand his unparalleled passion for public service and unwavering advocacy for low-cost housing and increased benefits for our soldiers. His wisdom, experience, and exemplary work ethic were always evident, making him an invaluable asset to our institution and a true inspiration to us all,” dagdag pa ni Estrada.

Sinabi naman ni Gatchalian na si Biazon ay isang tunay na patriot at mahusay na public servant na hinahangaan aniya nito.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Senator Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon, a true patriot and a remarkable public servant whom I look up to and admire. Senator Biazon and I both served side by side during the 16th Congress and it was during that time that I had the opportunity to work closely with him on various bills including the restoration of the Basic Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Alongside each other, we both advocated for issues that advanced education, energy, consumer protection, and disaster response and management,” pahayag pa ni Gatchalian.

Si Biazon ay produkto ng Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1961, at naging ika-21 naging AFP chief-of-staff.

Umani ito ng samu’t saring parangal bilang sundalo tulad ng Distinguished Service Star, Gold Cross Medal, Outstanding Achievement Medal, Bronze Cross Medal, Military Merit Medals with one spearhead device and four bronze anahaws, Military Commendation Medals, Long Service Medal, Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal, Luzon Anti Dissidence Campaign Medal, Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal, Mindanao Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal,Jolo and Sulu Campaign Medal, Disaster Relief & Rehabilitation Operation Ribbon, Combat Commander’s Badge, at AFP Parachutist Badge.

Nang maging kongresista noong 2010 hanggang 2016 si Biazon at mula naman 1992 hanggang 1995 at 1998 hanggang 2010, marami itong naipasang batas tulad ng Republic Act (RA) No. 9208, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; RA No. 9161, na nagrereporma sa renting industry; RA No. 7835, Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter Finance Act; RA No. 7898, An Act providing for the Modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; RA No. 7742, pagbabago ng mandatory membership sa Pag-Ibig Fund; RA No. 7901, pagtatatag ng Caraga region (Region XIII); RA No. 7889, pagkakaroon ng University of the Philippines Mindanao; RA No. 7863, ang Home Guaranty Corporation Law; at RA No. 7691, pagpapalawig ng hurisdiksyon ng MTC’s, MCTC at METC.