Current and former senators paid tribute to the late Senator Dominador R. Aytona during the necrological rites at the Senate on Monday, October 2, 2017. Aytona passed away last September 26, 2017 at the age of 99.
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III presented Senate Resolution No. 67 expressing the Senate’s sympathy and condolences to the family of the former senator.
The resolution recognized Aytona’s achievements as an educator, cabinet member and as a senator of the republic during the Sixth and Seventh Congresses from 1965-1971.
In his eulogy, Pimentel said that the life of the late senator was more than just a simple success story.
“The life of former Senator Dominador Aytona is also about making use of this success to help others, especially those who are most in need,” Pimentel said
“Despite reaching the height of success in his chosen field, Senator Aytona did not forget the welfare of the ordinary Filipino,” he added.
Aytona authored landmark legislation such as the student’s loan fund authority, salary standardization of the employees of the General Auditing Office, salary increase of the employees of the Bureau of post and the formation of the Price Control Council.
“Every law he crafted was aimed at improving the quality of life of the Filipino people,” Pimentel said.
Senator Cynthia Villar, partymate of the late Senator in the Nacionalista party, said one thing that she shared with the late senator was humble beginnings.
“How he started as a clerk of the General Auditing Office to become one of the great senators of the land is a testament not only to his brilliance but also his commitment to hard work and perseverance,” Villar said.
She said Aytona shared her “vision of creating an entrepreneurial class that would prepare the Filipinos to progress and development.”
Former Senator Edgar Ilarde, who served with Aytona during the Seventh Congress, said ‘Manoy Doming’ lived a full life, “sharing the joys of life, serving the people, enjoying God’s blessings with humility, honesty and compassion for his fellow men.”
Ilarde said that he was “lucky to have brushed elbows with such a man of intellect and love for the Filipino.” “May his legacies of dedication and honesty in government emblaze on the heart of those in public service,” Ilarde said.
Former Senator Rene Espina, another colleague of the late senator in the Seventh Congress, said that Aytona was the embodiment of what a Filipino could do given the opportunity to study.
He said Aytona had “earned the admiration of the Filipino people.”
In response, Elica Aytona Ponce de Leon, granddaughter of the late senator, thanked everyone who offered their condolences and prayers for her grandfather.
Other distinguished guests who were present during the necrological rites were former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, former Senator Alfredo Lim, incumbent Senators Gringo Honasan and Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate Secretariat officials.
Aytona was elected senator on November 9, 1965. An alumni of the University of Manila, he held various positions at the General Auditing Office (now Commission on Audit), and was “drafted” to be the financial adviser of the Senate in 1950 – 15 years before his election.
Before joining the Senate, Aytona served as Secretary of Finance during the term of then President Carlos P. Garcia. He was only 36 years old when he was appointed as Commissioner of the Budget by former President Ramon Magsaysay in 1954. (Senate)
