18 December 2012

The Philippines mourns the passing of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a true friend and an invaluable champion of the Philippines in the United States Congress.

Through his leadership roles as Senate President Pro Tempore and Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, Senator Inouye steadfastly advanced Philippine interests and was instrumental in increasing US military and development assistance to the Philippines, passing the bill that granted long-awaited benefits to Filipino World War II veterans, and advocating the passage of the Save Our Industries (SAVE) Act.

I personally recall how he kindly mentored me when, as the Philippine Ambassador to the United States, I was learning to navigate the intricate workings of the US Congress.

As we pay tribute to this consummate statesman, war hero and generous spirit, we express our deepest sympathies to his wife, Irene, his son, Kenny, the people of the Great State of Hawaii, and the American people on this monumental loss. We pray that they will find solace from all the good things Senator Inouye accomplished in his extraordinary lifetime. END