NAKIRAMAY at nagbigay-pugay si Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez sa yumaong si Sen. Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon.

Bukod sa pagiging dating senador, si Biazon ay naging miyembro rin ng Kamara de Representantes at Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff. Siya ay pumanaw ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan sa edad na 88.

“A brave soul has been summoned back to God’s army on a day that we Filipinos associate with bravery. That is a fitting tribute to Pong Biazon by the Almighty, telling us to emulate the great Filipino that he was,” ani Speaker Romualdez.

Nakarating kay Speaker Romualdez ang balita ng pagpanaw ni Biazon habang ito ay nasa Caloocan City para sa pagdiriwang ng ika-125 anibersaryo ng proklamasyon ng Kalayaan ng bansa.

“We send our deepest condolences and prayers to the Biazon family, especially to his widow Monserrat, and son Ruffy, who is also a former House colleague,” sabi ni Romualdez. “We salute Pong Biazon for his inspiring and selfless service to the nation.”

“Biazon was a model citizen. He lost his father at seven years old and was forced to work to provide for himself and his siblings at such a young age. Poverty did not faze him; with sheer determination, he put himself through school to gain the education that he needed to be somebody. In the end, he became somebody that would look up to,” dagdag pa ng lider ng Kamara.

Si Biazon ay miyembro ng Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1961, at naging ika-21 chief-of-staff ng AFP.

Dahil sa ipinakitang kagitingan, si Biazon ay ginawaran ng Distinguished Service Star, Gold Cross Medal, Outstanding Achievement Medal, Bronze Cross Medal, Military Merit Medals with one spearhead device and four bronze anahaws, Military Commendation Medals, Long Service Medal, Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal, Luzon Anti Dissidence Campaign Medal, Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal, Mindanao Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal,Jolo and Sulu Campaign Medal, Disaster & Rehabilitation Operation Ribbon, Combat Commander’s Badge, at AFP Parachutist Badge.

Si Biazon ay naging miyembro ng Kamara mula 2010 hanggang 2016 at naging senador mula 1992 hanggang 1995 at 1998 hanggang 2010.

Kabilang sa mga panukala ni Biazon na naging batas ang Republic Act (RA) No. 9208, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; RA No. 9161, reforming the renting industry; RA No. 7835, Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter Finance Act; RA No. 7898, An Act providing for the Modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; RA No. 7742, changing the mandatory membership to the Pag-Ibig Fund; RA No. 7901, creation of the region of Caraga (Region XIII); RA No. 7889, establishing the University of the Philippines Mindanao; RA No. 7863, the Home Guaranty Corporation Law; at RA No. 7691, Expanding the Jurisdiction of MTC’s, MCTC and METC.

Itinulak din ni Biazon ang Joint Resolution No. 7, na nagtataas sa subsistence allowance ng mga sundalo at pulis; RA No. 8763 na nag-aamyenda sa Home Guarantee Corporation Act; RA No. 9040 na nagbibigay ng tax exemption sa allowance at iba pang benepisyo ng mga miyembro ng Armed Forces of the Philippines; RA No. 9049 na nagbibigay ng buwanang gratuity at prebilehiyo sa mga nagawaran ng Medal of Valor; at RA No. 10354, o ang Reproductive Health Act.

“Saludo kami sayo General. You’re one of a kind,” pagtatapos ni Speaker Romualdez.