Senate adopts reso expressing condolences to family of "Kuya Eddie" Ilarde

The Senate adopted a resolution Tuesday, August 25, 2020 expressing its profound sympathy and condolences to the family of former Sen. Edgardo "Eddie" Ilarde who passed away at the age of 85 last August 4.

Senate Resolution No. 493 was introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Francis Tolentino.

Popularly known as "Kuya Eddie," Ilarde began his illustrious career as a radio and tv host. In 1963, he ventured into politics and 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.

He ran and won as assembly man 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.

"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. Sotto said after 10 years of media exposure, Ilarde tried his hand at politics. 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.

Sen. Imee Marcos said she had the pleasure to work with Ilarde when he was an assemblyman and bid him farewell. Like any other student at that time, Marcos said they listened to Ilarde as he hosted the Student Canteen.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Ilarde was a great loss to the nation. According to her, Ilarde was a kind and supportive tv host who supported local artists. She said she met him when she was casted as one of the members of the "Sound of Music."

"He was a legendary host who would have been 86 years old today," said Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. "He 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 added.

Sen. Richard Gordon said Ilarde was an inspiring man. He said Ilarde 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 said.

Sen. Pia Cayetano said that while she did not know Ilarde personally, she felt like she knew him well because he was frequently in their household through the television. She said 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. She said she found Ilarde to be an ideal politician because he was a humble and simple man.

Sen. Joel Villanueva said he met Ilarde when he was young and expressed his condolences to his family.

Sen. Grace Poe said she had the luck to ran into Ilarde last year during an event promoting health for senior citizens. She said that even at Ilarde's advanced age, he was still actively promoting the advancement of the senior citizens group.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Ilarde deserves the recognition given to him. He said Ilarde was a loyal member of the Liberal Party. "He was a giant in the entertainment industry and the 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 Sen. 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 Sen. Ilarde. I asked Senate President Sotto if we can spare some resources to help Senator Ilarde and Senate President Sotto did not think twice about helping our former colleague and indeed he deserved our support," Drilon said.