Senate adopts resolution honoring the late Sen. Heherson Alvarez

The Senate today adopted a resolution commending and honoring the late Sen. Heherson Alvarez for his exemplary work as a legislator, statesman, human rights and environmental advocate. Alvarez had succumbed to Covid-19 at the age of 80 last April 20.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Senate Resolution No. 363, taking into consideration Senate Resolution Nos. 371, 366 and 382 would be presented to Alvarez's family on a later date. The Senate had adopted a skeletal workforce scheme and limited the entry of officials and employees inside its premises.

Earlier, Sotto lamented that the Senate would not be able to accord Alvarez the proper recognition due him as a former member of the institution. Traditionally, the Senate would hold a necrological service for the deceased senator and present his or her family with a resolution honoring him or her.

The resolution was introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Francis Tolentino (SRN 363), Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri and Senators Richard Gordon, Sonny Angara, Sherwin Gatchalian, Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva and Leila de Lima (366).

"This young political activist from Isabela commenced his political career when he served as one of the youngest delegates to the 1971 Constitutional Convention (CONCON) as an oppositionist who refused to sign the charter produced by the convention and publicly criticize the Marcos administration resulting to his forced self-exile to the U. S.," Sotto said in his resolution.

Sotto said Alvarez served his country for more than four decades as a Member of the House of Representatives, Minister of Agrarian Reform, Secretary of Agrarian Reform, Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary to the U. S.,Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention, Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Communities, Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change, Commissioner of Climate Change Commission, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Climate Institute, Presidential Adviser on Agrarian Reform, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Mining Development Corporation.

Zubiri said Alvarez was a distinguished legislator, dedicated public servant and a loving husband and father. He said the late senator was a visionary leader who received numerous awards and citations from various institutions including: International Public Policy Achievement Award by the Climate Institute in Washington, D.C., making him the first Asian recipient of said award, EDSA People Power Freedom Award by the People Power Commission, Most Outstanding Senate Lawmaker in Environmental Protection by the UP Institute for Strategic Development Studies, Outstanding Alumnus Award by the University of the Philippines, Gusi Peace Prize for Public Service by the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation, and the Outstanding Human Rights Award by the Fund for Free Expression in New York, among many others.

"We mourn the loss of an exceptional leader and visionary, who dedicated his life for the good of his country and the Filipino people, fighting for what is right and just, and championing issues for the benefit of our future generations," Zubiri said.