MANILA, Aug. 19 (PNA) – Former and incumbent members of the Philippine Senate and its employees gave their final respects to the late former Senator Agapito ‘Butz’ Aquino on Wednesday.
The Senate family joined the families and friends of Aquino in a special Mass officiated by Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak at the Senate Plenary Hall.
Aquino died last Monday at the age of 76. He served as senator from 1987 to 1995 and as Makati congressman from 1998 to 2007.
He died four days before the 32nd death anniversary of his brother, former Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr., the father of incumbent President Benigno Aquino III.
Ninoy Aquino was assassinated upon returning to the country from the United States on August 21, 1983.
Ninoy’s assassination sparked the popular 1986 EDSA Revolution that ended the dictatorial rule of the late former Ferdinand Marcos, and catapulted Aquino’s wife, former President Corazon Aquino, to power.
Senate President Franklin Drilon said Butz Aquino organized the August 21 Movement that encouraged the people to join the bloodless EDSA Revolution.
Butz Aquino was responsible for several landmark laws such as the Magna Carta for Small Farmers, the Cooperative Code of the Philippines, and the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992, among others. (PNA)