The Senate on Tuesday adopted a resolution expressing its profound sympathy and condolences to the family of former Sen. Edgardo “Eddie” Ilarde who passed away last Aug. 4 at the age of 85.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Francis Tolentino, in filing Senate Resolution No. 493, honored the former radio and television host for his outstanding contribution to media and politics.
“Ilade’s life story was one of perseverance. After graduating with honors from the Iriga Central High School in Camarines Sur, the youthful Eddie migrated to Manila and obtained his college education by working as part time employee at the DZRH radio station, as a newspaper vendor and as a shoe shine boy,” Sotto said.
Ilarde, popularly known as “Kuya Eddie,” began his illustrious career as a radio and TV host then ventured into politics in 1963.
He was elected as councilor of Pasay City. He was Representative of the First District of Rizal (1965-1969), Assemblyman (1978-1984) and senator (1972).
During his stint as a representative, Ilarde authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 4864, otherwise known as the “Police Act of 1966,” which aimed at professionalizing the police force and making it more efficient.
While campaigning for the senatorial elections in 1971, Ilarde was seriously injured in the Plaza Miranda bombing. He was proclaimed as one of the winners but his term was cut short when martial law was declared in 1972.
Ilarde ran and won as assemblyman in 1978 and worked on Batas Pambansa Bldg. 702, or the Act Prohibiting the Demand of Deposits or Advance Payments for the Confinement or Treatment of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics in Certain Cases.
As a legislator, Sotto said Ilarde advanced measures that helped the poor and the marginalized and exposed anomalies such as land grabbing, kickbacks, housing problems and police brutality, among others.
“The passing away of a public servant who had lived a full and meaningful life, who never failed to look back at his humble beginnings, using the same as a constant guide and reminder that the poor and marginalized sectors of society deserve no less than what they are entitled to under the Constitution and other existing laws consistent with the saying that those who have less in life must have more in law, is a great loss not only to the bereaved family but to the nation as well,” Sotto said.
Senators Imelda “Imee” Marcos and Risa Hontiveros said Ilarde was a great loss to the nation.
For Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Ilarde “was a legendary host who… uplifted the spirits and inspired our countrymen through music.
“He also founded one of the biggest senior citizens’ groups in the country. I am certain that his outputs would have been in the senior citizen’s welfare bills that we are all currently advocating,” Revilla said.
Sen. Richard Gordon said Ilarde was an inspiring man, and who encouraged him to be stronger and forthright by cheering him on. “He said to me, go on and do what you do because you do a good job. He gave a lot of enjoyment, a lot of entertainment to many Filipinos. He was always pushing forward, a great example for everybody and always working hard. We cannot forget him,” Gordon recalled.
For her part, Sen. Pia Cayetano said she came to know Ilarde because he was frequently in their household through the television. According to her, her mother, who was an American, taught her about life in the Philippines and how to speak the Pilipino language through Ilarde and his contemporaries.
Cayetano said she found Ilarde to be an ideal politician because he was a humble and simple man. Senators Joel Villanueva and Grace Poe also expressed their condolences to his family.
Poe noted that even at Ilarde’s advanced age, he was still actively promoting the advancement of the senior citizens group.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, on the other hand, said Ilarde deserves the recognition given to him. Ilarde, he said, was a loyal member of the Liberal Party.
“He was a giant in the entertainment industry and Philippine politics,” he said.
“Let me also place on record our appreciation for what our Senate President did. Little is known of the fact that while the late Senator Ilarde was in the hospital, the family sought our assistance through our colleague, former Sen. Jun Magsaysay, if the Senate can help in the expenses of the late Senator Ilarde,” Drilon stressed.
Drilon said the Senate President did not think twice about helping their former colleague and spare some resources, for indeed “he deserved our support.”
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