Nene Pimentel now stable in hospital

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. is now in stable condition after being hospitalized for pneumonia, according to his daughter, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner Gwen Pimentel-Gana.

She said yesterday that the vital signs of her father had improved after doctors removed some water from his lungs.

The elder Pimentel was taken to the hospital after complaining  of difficulty in breathing. He has been confined at the intensive care unit.

While her father’s medical condition improved, Gana said he could not yet receive any visitors.

Pimentel’s family is calling for prayers for the speedy recovery of the former Senate president.

There has been an outpouring of fervent prayers for Pimentel Jr., who was reportedly taken to the intensive care unit of a local hospital late Monday night.

In various Facebook posts, netizens offered prayers for the speedy recovery of 85-year-old Pimentel. Journalists are among the prayer warriors for Pimentel, known to be  approachable and accommodating in explaining government affairs.

Pimentel’s son Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III confirmed that his father is ill and currently under treatment.

“Doctors and hospital staff are doing their best to help him. We ardently ask that you join us in prayer for his full and complete recovery,” said the younger Pimentel.

News of Pimentel’s condition broke out after PDP-Laban spokesman Ron Munsayac posted in his Twitter account an appeal for prayers for the recovery of the former senator, who is confined in an undisclosed hospital in Metro Manila.

The elder Pimentel was elected senator in 1987 and served until 1992. He again served from 1998 to 2010. He was elected Senate president from 2000 to 2001 during which time he and then chief justice Hilario Davide Jr. presided over the impeachment trial of then president Joseph Estrada.

Pimentel served as Senate minority leader from 2001 to 2002 and from 2004 to 2010.

He founded the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino in 1982, which later merged in 1986 with the Lakas ng Bayan, the party founded by the late former senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

Pimentel is also known as the father of the Local Government Code, which provides governors, mayors and other local government officials autonomy in running local government units.

Netizens posted prayers on their Facebook accounts seeking Pimentel’s recovery.

“Praying for the good old Senator Pimentel!” posted Nida Mendoza Abu.

Florante Rosales wrote, “Praying for tatay Nene whom I respect and sometimes partner in his Pimentel Hour program at dzRH.”

“I am including the loved senator in my prayers,” said Gloria Jane Baylon, a retired Philippine News Agency reporter.

“My prayers to God will make a way on his holy will and perfect time. To God be the glory,” said broadcast journalist Rambo Labay of dzXL.

“Our thoughts and prayers for his speedy recovery,” wrote Jo Pimentel, a Facebook user.