Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 2

Press Statement on the Death of Rep. Antonio Magsaysay Diaz It is with profound sadness that the family of Rep.

Antonio Magsaysay Diaz of the Second District of Zambales announces the death of the good Congressman. He died at the age of 83, at about 6:20 am in St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City. The good Congressman died of multiple organ failure secondary to sepsis and pneumonia. A lawyer by profession, Rep. Diaz devoted his career to government service. He was a loyal and dedicated public servant. He started as Deputy Customs Commissioner (1963-19640), and Head of the Legal Department of Land Reform Commission (1964-1965), and was subsequently elected as Vice Governor of Zambales (1967-1969) before having won his first of many Congressional terms in 1969. He had a commendable and extensive tenure as a legislator. He was a Member of the 7th Congress representing the previously Lone District of Zambales (1969-1973), Assemblyman of the Interim Batasang Pambansa (1984-1986), and completed three consecutive terms of Office as Representative of the 2nd District of Zambales-- the 9th (1992-1995), 10th (1995-1998) and 11th Congresses (1998-2001), respectively. After a 3-year-break upon completion of his 9-year-term, Rep. Diaz had once again proven his credibility and exceptional track record to his constituents when he vied for and won the same seat successively from 2004 to the time of his death. He was a Member of the 13th (2004-2007), 14th (2007-2010) and 15th Congresses (2010). During his long tenure at the House of Representatives, he held several Committee Chairmanships specifically the Special Oversight Committee on Mt. Pinatubo (9th Congress), Committee on Science and Technology (13th Congress), Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare (14th Congress) and the Inter-parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy (15th Congress). He was also twice a Member of the powerful Commission on Appointments (10th and 11th Congresses). Rep. Diaz was known for his many advocacies including the promotion of World War II veterans rights and benefits. A war veteran himself, Rep. Diaz consistently lobbied for the recognition of the service of the Filipino veterans, the hospitalization benefits for the veterans and their families, and the provision of lump sum benefits to these servicemen. In 2009, he met with U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka to help lobby and show support for the approval of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill. Sen. Akaka filed S. 1315?he Veterans Enhancement Act of 2007--which contained provisions for pensions

and health benefits, and restoring the veteran status to Filipino veterans who served under the U.S. Command during World War II. He was also known to be a great advocate of educational advancement among youth, committing to making education accessible to everyone. He argued that education is a fundamental right that is essential in creating democracy and sustainable development. He had continuously given the bulk of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to his noteworthy Scholarship Program. This entailed provision of matriculation fees and stipends to some 500,000 high school and college students not only in his district, but in the whole province Zambales. In the last 10 years, he has allocated approximately Five Hundred Million Pesos for this program alone, a clear testament to his dedication in realizing his vision of education for the youth from his beloved province. His demise is a great loss to the people of Zambales, whom he faithfully represented and served during his extensive years of service at the House of Representatives. Rep. Diaz was survived by his four children, Ramon Victor, Roderick Albert, Roberto Carlos and Rica Victoria, daughters-in-law Anna, Carla and Maria, son-in-law Ronald Arambulo and grandchildren Regina, Marianna Antonia, Bianca Alberta, Ricardo, Rafael, Sabrina Victoria and Sidney Louise. The Diazes are honoured to have enjoyed a memorable and loving connection with their patriach. They will be proud to continue commemorating the fruitful life achievements and legacies of Rep. Antonio Diaz.

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi