Gordon remembers ex-Senator Oreta as an advocate of education, teachers' welfare

Senator Richard Gordon on Friday extended his condolences to the loved ones of his former colleague, Tessie Aquino-Oreta.

"The country lost a dedicated public servant who was also an advocate of education and employment," Gordon said in a statement, as he shared that he and his wife Kate lost a very close friend.

Gordon said he and Oreta shared the same passion of promoting the welfare of Filipino teachers.

"Tessie may have gone ahead of us but she will always be remembered for the great legacy she left behind," he said.

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan also expressed his sympathies for the demise of the former lawmaker. He underscored that her accomplishments will transcend this generation.

"Noong nasa Senado siya, tiniyak niyang ipatupad ang mga batas na magbibigay sa mga kabataan ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng dekalidad na edukasyon at magandang kinabukasan," he said.

"Pamana niya ito sa mga naiwan niyang naghahanda ng landas ng bayan," he added.

Oreta was behind Project TAO, a nationwide survey of the employment status and working conditions of public school teachers in 1999.

She also successfully lobbied for the issuance of payslips to teachers in public schools after learning that many of them were clueless about deductions in their salaries. Her efforts bore fruit in August 2000.

Among the laws she crafted were the Early Childhood Care and Development Act, Philippine Science High School System Act, and Governance of Basic Education Act.

Oreta passed away at the age of 75 on Thursday night. —LDF, GMA News