Biazon’s remains to be brought to Senate on Monday

MANILA, Philippines — Senators will bid farewell to former senator, congressman and chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Rodolfo Biazon, who died of lung cancer on Monday. He was 88.

Biazon’s remains will be brought to the Senate on June 19 for a necrological service at 10 a.m., according to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. Public viewing will be until 3 p.m.

The AFP said funeral honors would be accorded to Biazon, including necrological rites at Camp Aguinaldo prior to his interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig on June 20.

Senators said Biazon would be remembered as a “great man of service who dedicated his life and career for Filipinos.”

Biazon served as senator from 1992 to 1995 and was reelected in 1998.

“It was a bittersweet Independence Day as the nation mourned the passing of Biazon, one of the staunchest defenders of peace and democracy that we are enjoying today,” Zubiri said.

Sen. Loren Legarda said she is “deeply saddened by the passing of a former colleague in the Senate, a true officer and public servant who dedicated his life to public service.”

Sen. Nancy Binay expressed her condolences to Biazon’s family.

“As a soldier and a lawmaker, he defended democracy and made sure that our country’s sovereignty is always protected. Our nation lost an officer who dedicated his life to public service,” Binay said.

Sen. Francis Escudero lauded Biazon for serving the Philippines throughout his more than five decades in government service.

Senators Grace Poe, Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Ramon Revilla and former senator Franklin Drilon have expressed their sympathies to Biazon’s family.

House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan described Biazon as a “true Filipino patriot who loved his country and boldly fought for it.”

According to Biazon’s son, Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon, the former lawmaker was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2022 and underwent chemotherapy.

The elder Biazon was confined at the Asian Hospital for severe pneumonia last month until his death.

Flags at half-mast  

Philippine flags at military camps across the country will be flown at half-mast until June 18 to honor Biazon.

The retired military general was known as the brave colonel who defended the government from a handful of coup attempts after the EDSA People Power revolt.

Biazon headed the military for only three months as he had reached the mandatory retirement age before he was elected to the Senate.

Philippine flags in government offices, schools and public spaces in Muntinlupa City will be flown at half-mast as a sign of respect for Biazon, city administrator Allan Cachuela said.

The Muntinlupa city government passed a resolution honoring Biazon.

“We salute him for his courage, his achievements as well as his commitment to freedom and democracy. It is our duty to continue his legacy of public service for the people of Muntinlupa and the country,” read the resolution authored by Councilor Raul Corro.

Biazon’s remains will lie in Chapels 2, 3 and 4 of the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig until June 18.

A final wake will be held on June 19 at the Holy Child Chapel at the Philippine Marines headquarters at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is mourning the passing of Biazon.

The PNP said it remains grateful to Biazon for the reforms he introduced as a lawmaker that continues to strengthen the foundation of the police and military institutions.

As a soldier, the PNP said Biazon epitomized the “undying virtue of unquestionable loyalty to God, country and people to uphold the Constitution and the institutions that keep the Republic intact.” — Michael Punongbayan, Delon Porcalla, Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Emmanuel Tupas