Former Senator Rene Saguisag  after visiting Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV at his office on September 28, 2018. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- A human rights lawyer with humble beginnings was introduced to the political arena by then President Corazon Aquino when she introduced her senatorial slate in 1987.

But unlike other senatorial candidates who have the means and political contributors to beef up their machinery, Rene Saguisag's candidacy was funded by the Filipino masses through his "Ampunin si Saguisag (adopt Saguisag)" campaign slogan.

A reluctant politician, Saguisag only opted to serve for one term.

READ: Former senator Rene Saguisag dies at 84

As a legislator, he left the nation with his penned Republic Act 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials and employees, which now serves as the public servants' guiding light to a higher kind of public service.

Saguisag also co-authored RA 6770 or the Ombudsman Act of 1989, and conscientiously handled the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

Saguisag was one of the sixteen senators who voted for the removal of the US military bases in the country on September 16, 1991.

Saguisag served under the 8th congress from 1987 hanggang 1992, and he physically attended all the 415 session days of the Senate. 

As a former senator who went back to private law practice, Saguisag would always register his disgust each time that Filipinos' basic rights are either slighted or are being threatened, be it in public protest or media interviews.

In 2017, at the height of the Duterte administration's bloody war against illegal drugs, Saguisag did not hesitate to repeatedly and openly criticize then-President Rodrigo Duterte.

KA RENE'S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AND ADVOCACY

Saguisag was born in Mauban, Quezon on August 14, 1939.

A product of public elementary and high schools, Saguisag finished his Bachelor of Laws in San Beda College, Magna Cum Laude.

He also finished his Master of Laws degree in Harvard University as a full scholar.

And while reaching for his dreams to become a lawyer, Saguisag also worked as a checker, laborer, construction site guard and messenger.

During the Martial Law years, Saguisag defended human rights victims pro bono through MABINI or Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism which he formed along with fellow lawyers, Joker Arroyo and Jejomar Binay.

In 2017, Saguisag also formed "Artikulo Tres" composed of young volunteer-lawyers whose advocacy is to defend "Oplan: Tokhang" victims for free, similar to what was done by MABINI.

The Last Good Senator: Rene Saguisag

SAGUISAG IN THE EYES OF HIS FRIENDS

Opposition senators accompany former senator Rene Saguisag  during the joint session of congress deliberating the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao at the House of Representatives on July 22, 2017. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Saguisag's Senate contemporary, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, shared that the human rights lawyer-turned senator never joined them during merienda time.

"He (Saguisag) always stayed at his desk even during breaks in session for two reasons: 1) He wanted to keep his seatmate, (Ernesto) Boy Herrera, company. 2) He said he did not want to use the people's money for his merienda," Sotto, in a text message said.

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, who was Saguisag's colleague in Cory Aquino's Cabinet, also attested on the strong morale backbone of his fellow lawyer.

"Rene was unbending in his principles on morality in public service. He was the model of a public servant. We mourn his passing," Drilon said.

Friends and admirers describe Saguisag as a joker and a good story-teller, whose only vice is to do ballroom dancing with his wife Dulce.

In 2007, the Saguisag couple met an accident resulting in Dulce's death.

Physically affected by the accident, Saguisag was still a regular figure in pro-human rights people's actions and many Senate occasions, which included bidding farewell to former members who passed on earlier.

It was Atty. Rebo Saguisag, the former senator's son, who announced their father's demise Wednesday.

Their only request is to allow them to grieve privately first, before sharing Saguisag to the public for one last time.

SENATORS, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES

The Senate immediately flew its national flag at half-mast following the announcement of Saguisag's death.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III remembered Saguisag as a close friend of their family, who even sang "You Are My Sunshine" during the wake of his father, the late Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel, Jr.

"I fondly recall the moments we shared with Senator Saguisag, particularly during the wake of my father, Tatay Nene Pimentel, his friend and contemporary. Senator Rene sang 'You Are My Sunshine' during the wake with such sincerity. He deeply touched us all," Pimentel said. 

"At the wake of my father, I remember Senator Saguisag asked Tatay Nene to deliver a message in heaven for his beloved wife, Tita Dulce. Tito Rene, I am certain that Tita Dulce and Tatay Nene await your arrival in heaven," he added.

Senator Nancy Binay, daughter of Saguisag's friend, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, also paid tribute to the late legislator.

"Tito Rene was a close friend of my father during the dark years of Martial Law, and during those times, I witnessed his skill, diligence and, above all, his deep concern for people who have less in life and in law," Binay said.

For Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Saguisag left a remarkable record in the field of public service.

"Senator Saguisag leaves behind a legacy of service and excellence that continues to be a benchmark for many young lawyers and public servants," Zubiri said.

Heartfelt messages saluting Saguisag also flooded, courtesy of current and former lawmakers who have worked with the late senator.

"Senator/Tito Rene was the gold standard in the legal community who lived out his profession bending the moral arc of the universe towards justice, especially the oppressed and the down-trodden," Senate Majority Leader Joel Villaneva said.

"My sincere condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones of former Senator Rene V. Saguisag. He was a patriot, a nationalist and an honest public servant," Senator Chiz Escudero said.

"Lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat, si Ka Rene po ay aking naging malapit na kaibigan, at itinuturing kong guro o mentor nang siya ay maging abogado ko noong araw - hindi lang sa usapin tungkol sa batas kundi sa mga bagay sa ating buhay," according to Senator Robin Padilla.

(Unknown to all, Ka Rene was a close friend of mine. And I consider him as my teacher, my mentor when he became my lawyer. He was a mentor not only about laws, but also in life)

"We condole with the nation for the loss of a staunch advocate for good governance and justice. A legal luminary, he has devoted his time and brilliance to many, especially the disadvantaged in society," Senator Grace Poe said.

Atty. Leila de Lima meanwhile said: "Thank you, Sen Rene for all your support in all the more than 6 years of my imprisonment. Thank you for being there in my trial even when it was already difficult for you to travel."

"He followed the lead of former senator Lorenzo Tañada and former senator Jose Diokno in visiting clients in the various jails and military stockades to offer his legal services as a member of both flag and later on MABINI," former congressman Erin Tañada, who is a grandson of the late senator Tañada.

Other senators also conveyed their gratitude to Saguisag for all his contributions to the nation.

"Malaki ang aking respeto at paghanga sa kanya bilang isa sa mga magagaling nating senador. Ang kanyang focus palaging para sa mahihirap. Nung bata ako nakikita ko yung kanyang adbokasiya at nakita ko na yung kanyang direksyon ay laging mabigyan ng boses ang mga mahihirap," Senator Win Gatchalian said.

(I respect him a lot and I admire him for being one of the greatest senators. As a young man, I saw how he would always focus on the concerns of the poor. His direction is to always give them the voice)

"Si Ka Rene talagang isa sa mga bayani natin... isa sa mga huling nakasama ko sya ilan dun ay nung tumindig kami laban sa Martial Law sa Mindanao nung 2017. Kahit naka-baston na sya, andun talaga. para siyang leon. Maraming salamat kay Ka Rene na naging abogado ko nung recent na subversion ba o kaso laban sa ilan sa amin," Senator Risa Hontiveros shared.

(Ka Rene is one of our heroes. One of those events that I was with him was when we stood against the Martial Law declaration in Mindanao in 2017. Even if he was already using a cane, he was still there. He was like a lion. Thank you Ka Rene for also defending me in that subversion case filed against me)

The Senate is only awaiting word from Saguisag's family so they could set the chamber's necrological rites for the late senator.

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