Press Release
September 17, 2019

Sponsorship Speech of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III on Senate Resolution No. 135

SPONSORSHIP SPEECH ON SRN 135
Profound Sympathy and Sincere Condolences on the Death of
Former Senator Rene Espina

Mr. President, colleagues,

One's legacy upon death is not dependent on the eloquence of those who deliver eulogies, for it would be dangerous to rely on orators to make a verdict on how a life was lived. Words are inadequate to match the speech that has been delivered through the life well lived by Senator, Governor, cabinet Secretary, Administrator, lawyer, host and columnist Jose Marino "Rene" G. Espina.

Although nothing much has been written about him, Senator Rene Espina's accomplishments and positions held in the government had a lot to say about his prominence. In all the titles and positions he held, he always made it a point to leave a mark:

As a lawyer - he was one of the topnotchers during his time

As an Administrator and Chairman of the SSS - he introduced the first computer system in government

As governor of Cebu - he was awarded as the Most Outstanding Governor in the Philippines in 1968 and 1969

As Secretary of then Public Works, Transportation and Communications - he was fondly called as the "Builder or Father of Mactan-Mandaue Bridge" for being the one behind its construction; and

As a Senator - he crafted the first anti-drug law, which is the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, a precursor of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which this representation is a principal author of. We both share the same convictions of having a Drug Free Philippines, and this present Congress will continue to thrive with his legacy he left this nation. He was voted as one of the "Most Outstanding Senators" during his tenure.

Senator Espina's presence and service to the people did not end when his term of office as a public servant ended. He continued to do civic and social works out of the limelight, and received various awards for the same.

Truly, no words can measure up to the speech spoken by the life of Senator Espina, for truly, his actions speak louder than our words. He lived by the saying: "The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." Indeed, what he left behind is something that even the heirs of his heirs will enjoy - which is a better Philippines.

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