Senator Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano hailed the patriotism and dedication to public service of former senator and former Philippine Army Chief Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon who passed on at the age of 88 on Sunday, June 12.
Cayetano expressed this through Senate Resolution No. 653 which he filed on June 13 together with Senator Pia Cayetano and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.
“Senator Biazon leaves a legacy of excellence in the military and in politics, serving as an inspiration to the Filipino people through his patriotism, dedication, and compassion,” Cayetano said in the resolution.
“His memory will live on in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people, whom he has inspired with his spirit, drive, and determination as a true Filipino,” he added.
Through the resolution, Cayetano narrated Biazon’s humble beginnings to make ends meet and in order to obtain his education.
He also wrote of Biazon’s life as a committed soldier who dedicated his life for the country and laid it on the line in defending freedom and democracy.
“Among many instances, [Biazon] showed patriotism when he chose to enter the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1957 despite having passed the examinations in West Point and the United States Naval Academy,” he said.
Cayetano said Biazon’s exemplary military service won him the trust and confidence of civilians, which led him to run as the first senator to have graduated from the PMA. This led to Biazon serving in the Senate from 1992 to 1995 and again from 1998 until 2010.
Cayetano commended the late senator for his advocacy to provide low-cost housing and comprehensive benefits for soldiers, and for recognizing the urgent need to address the escalating poverty levels in the Philippines.
He said Biazon also “ardently advocated for reproductive health and invaluably contributed to significant milestones in promoting the well-being of Filipino families.”
Biazon’s last post in the government was as Muntinlupa representative from 2010 to 2016.
Despite his departure from politics, Biazon remained visible to the public through other speaking engagements, speaking on issues close to his heart like security and national defense.
But Cayetano said beyond Biazon’s achievements, he was “a loving husband to his wife Monchie, and an amazing father to their three children.”
“We express our profound sympathy and sincere condolences on the demise of Rodolfo ‘Pong’ G. Biazon, a former senator and a former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to honor his life and dedication to the country as a public servant filled with patriotism and honor,” Cayetano wrote in the resolution.
