Necrological Services at Batasan, Quezon City Part 4

NECROLOGICAL SERVICES

FOR THE LATE

CONGRESSMAN ERICO B. AUMENTADO

THE SECRETARY GENERAL.Eulogy by the Honorable Danilo Suarez, Minority Leader and Representative from the Third District of Quezon.

EULOGY OF REP. SUAREZ

REP. SUAREZ.  Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished colleagues, a pleasant day to all of you.

Si Eric ho, kagayangsinabini Congresswoman Villarosa, ay ka-batchmatekong 1992.  And there are some here, starting with the Speaker, Congressman Villarosa, Congresswoman Sandy Ocampo, Congressman Fuentebella, Congressman Gullas, Congressman Adasa.  Marami pa palatayongnatitira,  no, '87 si Albano.

Si Eric ho ay isang achiever.  And sa profession na napili natin bilang politician at public servant, we will come and simply fade away.  Perosi Eric ho, kahit na pumanaw na sa lalawigan ng Bohol, ay hindi makakalimutan ng napakatagal na henerasyon na darating.  Iyong mga sinabing mga kasamahan kong nagawa niya, katulad ng circumferential road, mabibilang po natin sa daliri na tinangisang mambabatas na makakagawang 250 kilometers na paved road sa kanyang panunungkulan.  At iyong mga nakaranas nang hirap bumagtas sa mahirap na lansangan, sa mga darating na henerasyon ay sasabihin nilang ang gumawa nito ay si Congressman Eric Aumentado.  Kapag may mga lumipad, dumating, nag-take-off na eroplano, matatandaan nila, ang terminal naito ay sinimulanni Eric. Kung kaya't sa amin, sa batch of '92, we are proud that some of our members shone during their days as political leaders, at isa na diyan si Eric.  Bihira ho ang may ganitong track record, siguro nga yon ko lang — revelation ho ito na '67 pa ay elected na siya, tuloy-tuloy ang paglilingkod at walang talo.  Kaya't napakahirap mapantayan, nguni't napakagandang tingnan nahalimbawang isang mahusay na lider.

Kaya't in this Chamber  that is full of achievers and leaders, the previous enumerations may seem just par for the course.  In my eyes, Eric's most admirable and inspiring achievement is to rise above extreme poverty.  Siguro kaya ko nararamdaman iyan, pareho din ho kaming nanggaling sa mahirap.  That a man of humble beginnings rose to become a stellar leader of men, an asset to the nation's growth and a devoted father to his family, is what we celebrate today.

I am humbled and honored by your friendship, Eric, warmth and sincerity, and I  will remember our days in Congress with much fondness.

Rest in God's loving hands, my dear friend.