Former Senate President Maceda, 81, passes on

Former Senate President Ernesto Maceda has passed on, GMA News' Saleema Refran reported on Monday night.

According to the late lawmaker's family, Maceda succumbed to multiple organ failure at 8:58 p.m.

He was 81.

Pamilya Maceda: 8:58pm pumanaw na si Fmr Senate Pres Ernesto Maceda dahil sa multiple organ failure. pic.twitter.com/2voQGqOeep

— Saleema Refran (@saleema_refran) June 20, 2016

His remains will lie in state at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine in New Manila, Quezon City starting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Interment will be on Saturday at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina after a 9 a.m. mass at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine.

Maceda was in critical condition due to post-surgery complication, his son said Monday afternoon.

Lawyer Ernesto Maceda Jr. said the former senator underwent surgery and was still conscious after the procedure but his condition went downhill since then.

"In fact, he was wearing a T-shirt this morning rooting for Golden State Warriors but sadly because of post surgery complication, his condition became quite difficult," he said in a television interview.

Mr. Exposé

Ernesto Madarang Maceda, 81, was considered one of the heavyweights in the Senate during the 1990's because of his brilliance and eloquence in speeches and debates.

He also earned the monicker Mr. Exposé after he bared in the Senate scams in government and other irregularities.

Maceda was among then-President Corazon Aquino's senatorial candidates who dominated the 1987 elections, the first congressional and local polls after the Edsa Revolution.

He was one of the "Magnificent 12" senators who voted against the RP-US Bases Treaty in 1991. The agreement would have extended American control such as the Clark Air Base and the Subic Naval Base.

Maceda was reelected in 1992. He became Senate President in 1996.

Due to the constitutional term limit barring a third consecutive term, Maceda ran for mayor of Manila in 1998 but lost.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said in a Monday night statement that he was saddened by Maceda's death.

"Manong Ernie served the nation in various capacities and lived through historic moments in our nation's history, mostly as an active participant but never as a spectator," added Binay. "Manong Ernie will be sorely missed by his family, his friends in government and politics, and those who valued and appreciated his work for the nation."

Senate President Franklin Drilon, in his own statement, expressed his sorrow and recalled the time when he shared the Senate floor with Maceda.

"I have known him as a tireless worker and a very 'hands-on' Senate President, whose unique zeal and work ethic had led to many important laws that benefited our people," said Drilon. "I am proud to have worked alongside such a distinguished public servant. He will remain an inspiration to all of us."

Young politician

Maceda first stepped into the halls of Senate as a young politician in 1971.

He started in politics at the young age of 23 when he was elected as the Number One councilor of Manila in 1959.

Ferdinand Marcos appointed him as Secretary of Community Development when he was 29 years old.

Three years later, he was appointed as executive secretary in concurrent capacity as chairman of the Commission on Reorganization.

He also handled the commerce and industry portfolio where he launched consumer protection programs and established trade relations with various Eastern European countries.

Maceda distanced himself from Marcos when the latter declared Martial Law.

The senator went on exile in the United States and became the aide and adviser of opposition leader Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

He accompanied Mrs. Corazon Aquino on the flight from Boston to Manila when Aquino was assassinated in 1983.

He was one of the leaders of the opposition during the 1984  Batasang Pambansa campaign and the 1986 snap elections.

When the Marcos regime was finally over, Corazon Aquino appointed him as minister of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

Maceda graduated magna cum laude, Associate in Arts in 1952, and cum laude and valedictorian, Bachelor of Laws in 1956, both at the Ateneo de Manila University.

He received his Master of Laws with distinction in 1957 at Harvard Law School.

Maceda is married to Marichu Vera-Perez and they have four children. —Trisha Macas and Amita Legaspi/NB/KG, GMA News