Jan.-Feb. 2001

In This Issue

Questions or comments? Email Editor Tony P. Fernandez at:
afernan@techie.com

A Hero in our Midst

By Tony P. Fernandez

Senate President Nene Pimentel

MONTREAL-Those of us who met him here, yes here in Montreal, remember him as a warm and vibrant person, and surely already a heroic figure in politics throughtout the Philippines who keeps fighing for his beliefs as militant and acts independently for the good of his country. He did so, he says, even when his life and that of his family were put at risk by the martial-law regime of Marcos.

   I refer to Senate President Aquilino Q. Pimentel, or 'Nene" as his friends call him. It's a nickname associated with protest and resistance and remarkable integrity in the performance of his duties.  It's a nickname which has become common and topmost to the nation in EDSA '86 and more recently hailed by the activists in EDSA 2, a movement that forced President Estrada to step down.

  I was among those who greeted Nene Pimentel at a friendly get-together at noontime last summer held at a restaurant in Montreal's chinatown. There to chat with him were Philippine Ambassador Francisco Benedicto and Consul General Erlinda Quintos-Brewster along with a swarm of Filipino leaders. Senator Pimentel was in Montreal on a speaking trip in Canada, and when we heard about it, quite frankly, I wanted to meet him inspired for what he was doing for his country.

  In retrospect, it was one of the best things to befall on us, for Nene Pimentel was to play a heroic role in People's Power in EDSA 2 that toppled the Estrada presidency. As one might expect, the sense of history was upon me, for directly in front of us was a hero in our midst, alive and well!

  Senator Pimentel engaged his well-wishers in animated conversation and without a trace of being a celebrity of sorts or an icon in the world of Philippine politics, especially as head of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigating anomalies and erring government officials, no matter who- but mostly the fat cats involved in corruption. Pimentel told us without a hint of partisan politics that he supported Erap's fight against poverty but was deeply concerned about corruption in his administration." I keep on fighting for my beliefs as militant, and I act independently despite my association with President Estrada. The records will show that I have opposed the Estrada administration when it needed opposition," Senator Pimentel said.

  His reply to many of our questions revealed a few tidbits about his life. He said he was a happily married man with roots in Batac and Cagayan de Oro and has six children, all professionals. He has very little social life and loves to read books and write books primarily law books. Enthralled by the new technology, he spends a lot of time on his computer browsing the Internet and doing research. And to keep in shape, he swims in the sea and goes biking whenever he is in Cagayan de Oro.

  I do not remember at all what other things he said but it ended with a toast in which everybody joined in. Imagine my feelings about this brilliant man, whom historians will write about a good many years from now. After we all got up, we invited Senator Pimentel to visit the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal in Mackenzie King Park for a photo-op. He was pleased to obliged and off we went to the park. Just after it was over Pimentel bade goodbye and shook our hands. He also remarked how happy he was meeting Filipinos in Montreal.

  Last Jan. 20, EDSA Dos exploded and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was sworn in as President of the Philippines. We saw it all happened far away and came to see the significant role Senate President Nene Pimentel played as history was unfolding back home.

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