By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senators mourn the passing of former Senator Rene Saguisag, a prominent human rights advocate and lawyer.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri described him as a “man of true honor, dignity, and integrity.”
“He may have served only one term in the Senate, but his entire life was devoted to pursuing justice and fairness for every Filipino, particularly through initiatives such as the Free Legal Assistance Group,” Zubiri said.
“Sen. Saguisag leaves behind a legacy of service and excellence that continues to be a benchmark for many young lawyers and public servants,” he added.
For Sen. Chiz Escudero, Saguisag is remembered as a dedicated public servant and for his advocacy for justice.
Sen. Grace Poe also extended her condolences to his bereaved family.
“A legal luminary, he devoted his time and brilliance to many, especially the disadvantaged in society,” Poe said.
“In our citizenship battle with the courts, Sen. Rene stood with us, unconditionally lending his wit and wisdom, and for this, we will forever hold him dear.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Robin Padilla shared that the former senator had become his mentor in law and life, defining him as “very smart.”
“Unbeknownst to everyone, Ka Rene became my close friend, and I consider him a mentor when he served as my lawyer back in the day — not only in matters of law but in matters of life.”
“Ka Rene was not only smart, he was ‘very smart’. If he wrote an opinion, you needed to read it carefully and repeat it to make sure you understood his writing correctly,” Padilla added.
Saguisag passed away at 84 years old.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — Former senator and esteemed human rights advocate, Rene Saguisag, has passed away, as announced by his family on Wednesday (24 April 2024) in Manila, Philippines.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the departure of our beloved Papa and Lolo,” expressed Saguisag’s son, Rebo, via Facebook.
“While we grieve his loss deeply, we find comfort in the enduring legacy he leaves behind,” he added.
Saguisag dedicated himself to human rights advocacy from 1972 to 1986, later serving as the spokesperson for then-President Corazon Aquino.
Representing the Liberal Party, Saguisag embarked on a senatorial journey in 1987, serving with distinction until 1992.
Tragically, in 2007, he was involved in a car accident in Makati City that claimed the life of his wife, Dulce.
A revered figure in legal academia, Saguisag imparted his wisdom on Constitutional Law and Human Rights Law at San Beda University.
Additionally, he contributed his insights as a columnist for The Manila Times, with his final column appearing on November 26, 2021.
Rene Saguisag is survived by his five children – Rebo, Nonoy, Lara, Laurence, and Kaissa.
(Ismael Amigo/MNM)