Press Release
June 1, 2017

Senate pays respect to former Senator Kalaw

Incumbent and former senators paid tribute to the late Senator Evangelina "Eva" Estrada Kalaw in solemn necrological rites Thursday, June 1, 2017. Kalaw passed away Thursday, May 25, 2017, at the age of 96.

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III presented Senate Resolution No. 399, expressing the Senate's sympathy and condolences to the family of the former senator.

The resolution said that Kalaw "was a fighter for freedom and democracy," and that she was the first woman Senator to be re-elected when she served in the Seventh Congress until the declaration of martial law by President Ferdinand Marcos on September 21, 1972.

Pimentel lauded Kalaw for her social advocacy, which he said was not limited to women's rights. According to Pimentel, Kalaw championed "any group of people who were oppressed or did not received their just due from society."

He said Kalaw worked with organizations that sought to help children in conflict with the law, special children, those with tuberculosis and worked with organizations that helped the development of youth and the community.

"I last saw her during the Senate's 100th year celebration, interacting with people, having dinner, accompanied by wine. I was happy to see her enjoying her time with the Senate family," Pimentel said in his eulogy.

Freedom fighter, accomplished lawmaker

According to Pimentel, Kalaw was one of the major voices against the dictatorial regime for which she was imprisoned twice for false charges. He said she worked with the opposition in preparing for the return of Ninoy Aquino. After his assassination, she became active in organizing the massive protests to the dictatorship.

"Even before Martial Law was declared in 1972, she was already active in opposition to President Marcos. She hosted meetings of opposition stalwarts like Ninoy Aquino and Jovy Salonga in her house. She was injured in the Plaza Miranda blast. After the People Power Revolution, she served as the Chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, where she continued her service to our people in Taiwan," Pimentel said.

During her stint at the Senate, Pimentel said Kalaw served as chairman of the Committee on Games, Amusement, and Tourism and the Committee on National Minorities, where she pushed for the creation of a single government office to handle national policy for tourism.

"Senator Estrada-Kalaw pushed for RA 5146, converting the Social Welfare Administration into the Department of Social Work, which is now called Department of Social Welfare and Development. She was also instrumental in the passage of salary increases for public school teachers through RA 5158, the creation of Local School Boards through RA 5447, the Barrio High School Charter through RA 6054, the Educational Financing Act or RA 6728, and the inclusion of the president of student councils in the Board of Regents of all state colleges and universities," he said.

 "Truly, hers was a life well-lived. And by her choice, it was well-lived in the service of the Filipino people," Pimentel said.

"She may have been born in a different era, but the values of integrity, respect for the rule of law, and dedicated service to the people that she believed in and practiced remain as relevant as ever. Tita Eva, we are here to continue your causes," he added.

'An inspiration'

For former Senator Eddie Illarde, who served with Kalaw together during the 7th Congress and was with her during the Plaza Miranda bombing, the lady senator was a "model public servant, beautiful in mind and in spirit, sincere in her ardent desire to dedicate her life in the service of our people."

"She was our muse, a term which she hated when we were together campaigning. She was our older sister. She was our mentor, our team leader. She was an inspiration in our quest for political victory. She was one of the boys, with much courage in fighting for what is right, for the good of our country and our people," he recalled.

Former Senator Rene Saguisag, who was with Kalaw as part of the anti-Marcos opposition during martial law, said that though Kalaw had passed away, she will continue to be "admired and adored by a grateful nation."

"All I can say is that we need the likes of Senator Eva today, who will be asking the 'foolish' questions of today: "Where is the invasion?," "Who are the invaders?," "Where is the rebellion?," "Who are the rebels?" Unfortunately, what we see now are echoes, not voices. She was a voice in our time," he said.

A relative of Kalaw, former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta said she admired the late senator for "her grit and her fearless self -- always unafraid to speak her mind out," and her dedication to help Filipinos even after she left public service.

"She was still the same woman, gusty, with grit, helping the marginalized people like brilliant students who do not have the wherewithal to continue their learning, involving herself to better the lives of those she served, giving inspiration to those who needed it, and making sure that freedom and democracy will never be again set aside," Oreta said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros lauded Kalaw as "a pioneering woman of the Senate, a shining light, not only for women in the country, but for all of us," and said that there are no words for what the country has lost.

"I grieve not only because a long and distinguished life has left us, I grieve because she brings a piece of our history and our memory with her," Hontiveros said.

Senator Gringo Honasan II, who first met the lady senator when he graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1971, said that as a public servant, Kalaw was "ideologically and politically blind, reaching out and finding common cause across the imaginary partisan political divide."

"She eloquently spoke by clear example, decisive action, and reflective silence, driven by rational and responsible choices that motivated her to demand that any government, must above all, protect life, liberty and property," he said.

Passionate learner, social worker

According to the resolution, Kalaw was "a passionate learner and social worker" who obtained her degree in education from the University of the Philippines, and pursued post-graduate studies in social work.

She shared her knowledge by teaching at the Far Eastern University, National Teachers College, and Centro Escolar University, the resolution added.

She founded and chaired, among others, the Samahang Filipina, the first national grassroots organization of women that sought greater female participation in government and brought about her election as the third woman senator in 1965. She also founded and became the first President of Philippine Jayceerettes.

Kalaw was a recipient of the "Outstanding Volunteer Social Worker" from then-President Jose P. Laurel. She was also an awardee of the 6th Mahatma Gandhi Freedom Award, given by the College of William and Mary in the United States. The award is given to "outstanding scholars or public figures who, by personal example, have given meaning and substance to freedom".

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