President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on Tuesday expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family of former Senator Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon, who died on Monday at the age of 88.
“We mourn the loss of a distinguished public servant, a former Armed Forces chief and legislator who dedicated his life to serving the country and the Filipino people,” Marcos said in a tweet.
“The thoughts and prayers of a grateful nation are with his family as we remember his remarkable service to the nation,” he added.
The President also acknowledged the tremendous contributions Senator Biazon made to the country and expressed gratitude for his remarkable service.
“He was highly respected by his colleagues and by the public for being opinionated, conscientious and virtuous as he fought for his mission and advocacies,” Marcos said.
Biazon, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2022, suffered pneumonia this year that led to the further weakening of his lungs, his son Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon shared.
“The family is grateful that we were able to spend his last moments with us intimately and peacefully,” the mayor added.
In a post on Sunday, the younger Biazon said the former lawmaker was confined at a hospital for serious pneumonia.
Biazon is survived by his wife Monserrat Narag Bunoan and children Ruffy, Richie and Rino.
Hailing from Batac in Ilocos Norte, Biazon served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016.
He also made history as the first military general from the Philippine Marine Corps of the Philippine Navy to become the Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
In 1957, Biazon decided to enroll in the Philippine Military Academy, where he graduated as the “class goat” — the cadet who finishes last — of the PMA Class of 1961. However, this did not deter him from achieving excellence.
He went on to hold significant positions such as the Superintendent of PMA from 1986 to 1987, Commandant of the Philippine Marines from 1987 to 1989, Commanding General of the NCR Defense Command from 1988 to 1990, Vice Chief of Staff of the AFP from 1990 to 1991, and finally, Chief of the AFP in 1991.
He served as a senator in the Ninth Congress from 1992 to 1995 and was reelected as a senator from 1998 to 2004. During his tenure, Biazon held important positions as Chairman of the Senate Committees on National Defense and Security, as well as Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement.
As a senator, Biazon made significant legislative contributions, authoring several laws, including the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (Republic Act 9208), the Rental Reform Act of 2002 (RA 9161), the Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter Finance Act (RA 7835) and the Modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (RA 7898).