Ex-senator Alvarez dies of COVID

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Heherson Alvarez, who served in government in various capacities and in later years mostly championed the environment, died yesterday at age 80 following complications from coronavirus disease 2019.

His son, Hexilon, confirmed the death of Alvarez to their fraternity Alpha Phi Beta.

Alvarez and his wife Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, founder of Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), both tested positive for COVID-19.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III mourned the passing of Alvarez, whom he called “a fighter.”

“It grieves me to learn of that news. He was a fighter! It was an honor for me to have served with him in the 9th Congress. Marami din akong natutunan sa kanya (I learned a lot from him),” he said.

“To his family, especially to his wife Cecille and his two children, may you find solace in the thought that he is now free of any suffering, and is peacefully watching over you as you continue your life journeys. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of the people, and his name will forever be etched in our country’s rich history.” 

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto mourned Alvarez’s passing, saying the late lawmaker “crafted policies, defended these on the floor and interpellated in plenary with the skill of a seasoned parliamentarian and the undiminished passion of a patriot.”

He always had a soft heart for the common tao and spent a lifetime championing their rights and freedoms, and at one time paying dearly for the courage of his convictions,” Recto said.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said he was deeply saddened by the death of “one of the original environmental advocates of the Philippine Senate.” He said the Senate has lost another pillar of its rich history.

“Senator Heherson Alvarez was the author of many of the country’s environmental laws as well as one of our most ardent fighters against climate change. Senator Alvarez would always touched base with me to discuss environmental issues during the deliberation of bills and even budget policies that could affect the environment,” he said.

“He was also known as a human rights advocate and has stood on the Senate floor defending our basic human rights embodied in our Constitution,” Zubiri, himself a COVID-19 survivor, said.

“The saddest part is that we will not be able to properly honor him befitting an honorable statesman due to the COVID-19 protocols, which prevent us from doing so,” he said.

The Senate, he said, will sponsor and adopt a Resolution to honor Alvarez when session resumes on May 4.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also expressed his condolences to the family of the late senator.

“My deepest condolences to the family of former senator Heherson Alvarez. Senator Alvarez pushed for environmental protection during his tenure in the Senate. His contributions to the country will never be forgotten,” he said. 

“The PDP-Laban is mourning the loss of its party stalwart former congressman, secretary and senator Sonny Alvarez,” Ronwald Munsayac, executive director of the party, said in a post on Twitter.

“Sen. Sonny, I will miss our impromptu meetings over coffee and lengthy phone calls where we discuss our plans of strengthening the party and ingenious ideas to help,” he said.

Alvarez, who also served as Isabela representative and head of the Climate Change Commission, reportedly underwent an experimental plasma therapy used to treat critical COVID-19 patients last week.

Doctor found dead

Another physician in the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19 died in Biñan City, Laguna yesterday.

Dr. Wilbur Jan Robert Demafiles, 30, was found dead at a hotel in Barangay Canlalay at around 3 a.m.

A police report said Demafiles and other physicians went to the hotel on Saturday to rest after working at a hospital.

One of his companions found him slumped on the floor the following day. He was brought to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police have yet to determine Demafiles’ cause of death although there are reports that he worked for three straight days treating COVID-19 patients.

The non-governmental organization Love Yourself mourns the passing of one of its volunteer ambassadors, Demafiles. 

In a post on its Facebook page, the group said they will not forget Demafiles’ “enthusiasm and commitment to use his role as a medical practitioner to help out in our advocacy campaigns” against HIV/AIDS.

“We honor his memory by recognizing his dedication as a remarkable front-liner doctor in the face of COVID-19, being a great community advocate, and a good friend to many of our volunteers and members. As a community, let us offer prayers for his family, friends and for the eternal repose of his soul,” it added.

Demafiles had joined Love Yourself, a group advocating for the protection and welfare of people infected with HIV/AIDS, as volunteer/ambassador doctor for the Hot Doctors of ’Pinas National HIV Testing Day in 2018.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and close to 400 officials and employees of the department are now under self-quarantine following the death of an official due to COVID-19.

DPWH Build, Build, Build committee chairperson Anna Mae Yu Llamentillo said the DPWH is tracing persons who had close contact with the official.

Llamentillo did not identified the DPWH official who died after working at the quarantine facility at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay.

“A colleague in DPWH, who worked in the PICC quarantine facility died today. He exhibited diarrhea and was already tested for COVID-19,” Llamentillo said. -With Emmanuel Tupas, Sheila Crisostomo, Jose Rodel Clapano