Palace sends condolences to Herrera’s kin

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang expressed condolences yesterday to the family of former senator Ernesto Herrera, who succumbed to cardiac arrest Thursday at age 73.

His former colleagues in four congresses and the labor sector also paid tribute.

“We join the nation in mourning the death of former senator Herrera,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

“He served the country with distinction as a legislator, trade union leader and as a human rights advocate, for which he also received international recognition.”

Prior to his death, Herrera served as head of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.

TUCP director for education Raffy Mapalo confirmed Herrera’s death at the Makati Medical Center, according to a GMA News report.

Vice President Jejomar Binay also mourned yesterday the passing of Herrera.

His death is a big loss to the labor movement, he added.

In a statement, Binay said Herrera led a life dedicated to the cause of the labor sector and the welfare of the common worker.

“Boy Herrera served the workers and the nation unselfishly and undeterred by his polio,” he said. “He stands tall in the pantheon of great Filipinos.” 

Herrera was a member of the Agrava Commission that investigated the Aug. 21, 1983 murder of former senator Benigno Aquino Jr., Binay said.

“As a member of the Agrava commission, he defied expectations by voting to prosecute Fabian Ver and ranking officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the murder of Ninoy Aquino,” he said.

As a lawmaker, Herrera made his mark as one of the first to speak against the drug menace and the complicity of men in uniform in the drug trade, Binay said.

Herrera served as senator from 1987 to 1998 and became Bohol congressman from 1998-2001.

He was the author of Republic Act 6715  amending the Labor Code, which strengthened workers’ rights and promoted peaceful relations between employers and employees.

The House of Representatives also mourned yesterday the death of Herrera.

He was described as a hardworking and vocal member of the House during the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th Congresses as senator and later representative of the first district of Bohol.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former senator Richard Gordon grieved the passing of Herrera and sent condolences to his family.

 “I join the whole nation in mourning the passing of a friend and an esteemed colleague, former senator Ernesto ‘Boy’ Herrera,” Drilon said.

 As a union leader and senator, Herrera was a tireless crusader for the welfare of the Filipino worker, Drilon said.

“I have known Boy for decades and I witnessed how committed he was in fighting for the cause, rights and welfare of millions of our workers,” he said.  

“He was a giant of Philippine labor. Our country’s workers have lost a champion.”

Drilon is proud to have worked with Herrera and shared the Senate floor with such a principled and distinguished public servant.

“He will remain an inspiration to all of us,” he said.

Marcos said the country “lost a strong pillar of the labor sector,” who took it as his mission in life to champion the causes, rights and welfare of Filipino workers. 

 “We are indebted to him for his service to our country,” he said.

“We owe it to him to pursue the trail he blazed for us, particularly in improving the lot of our Filipino workers.” 

In a statement, Gordon lauded Herrera for “living a life of tireless service for the labor movement, the cause of justice, and for his beloved Boholanons.” – With Helen Flores, Mayen Jaymalin, Paolo Romero, Christina Mendez