Incumbent and former senators pay tribute to Maceda

Current and former senators on Thursday remembered the life and works of former Senate President Ernesto Maceda, who was known as "Mr. Exposé" for his revelations of wrongdoings of people in high places when he was serving in the legislative body. 

Maceda succumbed to multiple organ failure on Monday at the age of 81. 

In his eulogy, former Senator Rene Saguisag thanked Maceda for helping him learn the ropes of legislation when he was elected to the Senate in 1987. 

"He was very helpful to amateurs like myself, so the nation and I owe him plenty," said Saguisag.

"But as good as Manong Ernie was, kamukha din ni Stephen Curry ng (Golden State) Warriors, you cannot win them all," Saguisag quipped, referring to the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player who failed to win the 2016 championship with the Warriors despite his team producing the best regular season record ever in the league. 

Senate to begin necrological service for the late Senate President Maceda in a few @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/jdvXyh9XD1

— Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) June 23, 2016

Saguisag also recalled Maceda as a principled lawmaker, noting that the latter was part of the "Magnificent 12" who voted in 1991 for the rejection of the continued stay of the United States military bases in the country. 

As a veteran legislator, Maceda also had a say in the Senate leadership during his prime. 

Former Senators Orlando Mercado and Francisco Tatad, Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senator Gregorio Honasan II, recalled Maceda as a political savvy. 

"In the Senate, no coup to change the Senate President was possible or even thinkable without Manong (Maceda). He helped to unseat and install Senate presidents. At one time, he even managed to install himself," Tatad said, eliciting laughter from the audience.

For his part, Drilon said: "I remember very well on October 10 of 1996...I remember that afternoon, Greg (Honasan) went somewhere, I do not know where – I think it was on a plane somewhere – and we were only 12, and for about an hour we were closeted in one room, namumutla si Manong Ernie, hindi niya malaman kung saan nagpunta si Greg Honasan, who was the 13th vote at the time.

"But Greg came, and affirmed his signature in that piece of paper he signed at the toilet at the time (with Maceda), and Ernie Maceda became our Senate President," Drilon said. 

He described the late lawmaker as an “intellectual giant who carved his own remarkable niche in the world of politics, diplomacy and media.”

“In his five decades of dedicated public service, Manong Ernie took on different roles that showcased his brilliance, professionalism, work ethic, organizational skills and political savvy,” Drilon said.

During the service, Drilon presented Maceda’s family with a Senate resolution expressing the profound sympathy and sincere condolence of the chamber. 

"Our family will forever be grateful," Maceda's son, Edward, said in response. 

Other senators who attended the necrological service were Sen. Nancy Binay and former Senators Loi Ejercito, Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Nikki Coseteng, Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., Wigberto Tañada, Freddie Webb and Victor Ziga, who spoke on behalf of former President, senator and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. 

Maceda served as senator from 1971 to 1972, 1987 to 1992 and 1992 to 1998. 

He was Senate President from 1996 to 1998, Senate President Pro Tempore from 1992 to 1993 and Minority Leader in 1998. 

He also served as a Cabinet member, a media commentator and as Ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2001.

He led the exposure and investigation of numerous cases of anomalies and irregularities in government such as the “chop-chop” smuggling operation and the PEA-Amari deal which resulted in an additional P35 billion for the government coffers, the prosecution of persons responsible for this anomalous deal and the institution of corrective measures that addressed the loophole of existing laws.

“We remember Ernie (Maceda) for carrying the torch of truth and righteousness, for having been a constant reminder that patriotism should never be hallow, pretentious or self-serving. Today, we remember a true Filipino, full of brilliance, full of courage, full of candor,” said Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, a former Senate president himself. 

Maceda earned his undergraduate and law degrees at the Ateneo de Manila University; master of laws, with distinction, Harvard Law School; doctor of juridical science candidate, Harvard Law School; Harvard International Legal Studies Fellow and Basic Management program, Asian Institute of Management. — RSJ, GMA News