Former senator Maria Teresa “Tessie” Aquino-Oreta passed away, her son Malabon City Mayor Antolin Oreta said on Wednesday.
Mayor Oreta said his mother died at 10:48 p.m. Thursday.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Mayor Oreta described the 75-year old former lawmaker as “a public servant who devoted her life to the country and her adopted hometown of Malabon.”
“She was a loving grandmother, mother, and wife and a friend to those whose lives she touched,” he said. “We ask for your prayers for mom. Thank you.”
Senators were saddened by Aquino-Oreta’s passing.
“It is with profound sadness that my wife, Kate, and I join the country in mourning the loss of Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta. The country lost a dedicated public servant who was also an advocate of education and employment,” said Senator Richard Gordon.
“Not only did we share the same passion for promoting the welfare of our country’s teachers because of our belief that having good teachers is the key to a better future for our country, but Tessie was also a very close friend to us,” he added.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III also mourned the passing of Aquino-Oreta whom he had worked with at the Upper House.
“My family and I are so saddened by her demise. She was very close to me and Sec. Greg (Honasan),” he said.
Sotto said his wife, actress Helen Gamboa, was also saddened by Aquino-Oreta’s passing.
“Helen, being a relative of theirs, is devastated by her passing. She has not stopped crying since we were told the news last night,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the Senate is set to give honors and will hold virtual necrological services for Aquino-Oreta on Monday in lieu of traditional rites for late lawmakers at the Senate session hall in Pasay City.
Aquino-Oreta, sister of the late former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., also served as member of the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1998 before she was elected as senator.
At the Lower House, she authored and co-authored about 280 bills (79 were enacted into laws) and proposed 101 local and national resolutions (20 were adopted).
