DRILON’S EULOGY TO BENITEZ: Senate President Franklin M. Drilon delivers his eulogy to the late Senator Helena Benitez, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 102. “Senator Helena Benitez was one of the fortunate people who were blessed with a long life. She did not only bring honor to her family, community and country, she also opened doors that were previously closed to women. In her lifetime, she paved the way and inspired Filipino women to persevere and prosper in their fields of endeavor,” Drilon said.(MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Lawmakers from the present and past Congresses gathered at the Senate Tuesday to pay their last respects to former Senator Helena Benitez, who passed away on July 14 at the age of 102.
The necrological services began shortly past 10 a.m., after the urn containing Benitez’s ashes was brought to the Senate session hall.
Among the lawmakers who attended the event were outgoing Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Loren Legarda, Vicente Sotto III and Leila de Lima, and former senators Wigberto Tañada, Leticia Ramos Shahani and Santanina Rasul.
SENATE RESOLUTION: Senate President Franklin M. Drilon (4th from right) presents a Senate resolution expressing its sympathy and sincere condolences to the family of former Senator Helena Z. Benitez, during a necrological service at the Senate, July 19, 2016. Benitez died at the age of 102. In photo are Benitez’s family, led by her niece, Petty Benitez-Johannot (fourth from left), Commission on Higher Education chair Patricia B. Licuanan (3rd from left), and (from right) Senators Leila De Lima, Risa Hontiveros, and Loren Legarda.(MNS photo)
In his eulogy, Drilon hailed Benitez as a “trailblazer” who left a lasting mark in the fields of education, public service, diplomacy, international relations, arts and culture, environment and women empowerment.
Drilon said that as a lawmaker from 1967 to 1972, Benitez championed the cause of women and youth by authoring the National Manpower and Youth Development Act, which eventually paved the way for the creation of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
A known environmentalist, Benitez also authored laws protecting the Philippine eagle and the tamaraw, both which are both endangered species.
BENITEZ, 102: Senate President Franklin M. Drilon (3rd from right) receives the urn containing the ashes of former Senator Helena Z. Benitez, who passed away last Thursday. Benitez, the 7th woman elected as senator in Philippine history, authored laws on education, culture, arts and the environment, such as the Philippine Eagle Protection Act and Republic Act No. 6148 declaring Mount Iglit, Mount Baco and adjoining areas in Mindoro island as a national park. She died at the age of 102. In photo are, from left, Senators Risa Hontiveros (partly hidden), and Vicente Sotto III, Mrs. Mila Drilon, and Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Alfredo Benitez. (MNS photo)
Tañada said the former senator lived “a life well lived” because of the various accomplishments she has gained while serving the country.
After the delivery of eulogies, Drilon presented a resolution honoring the former senator to her family.
Benitez, the seventh woman elected to the Senate, holds the distinction of being the first Filipina chairperson of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and the first Filipina recipient of the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross).
Before her passing, she chaired the board of trustees of the Philippine Women’s University. (MNS)