Heherson Alvarez
Heherson T. Alvarez | |
---|---|
File:Senator Heherson Alvarez.jpg | |
Commissioner of the Climate Change Commission | |
In office October 23, 2009 – June 30, 2016 | |
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources | |
In office March 29, 2001 – December 13, 2002 | |
Preceded by | Antonio Cerilles |
Succeeded by | Elisea G. Gozun |
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Isabela's 4th District | |
In office June 30, 1998 – March 29, 2001 | |
Preceded by | Antonio M. Abaya |
Succeeded by | Antonio M. Abaya |
Senator of the Philippines | |
In office June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1998 | |
Secretary of Agrarian Reform | |
In office February 7, 1987 – March 7, 1987 | |
Preceded by | Conrado Estrella Sr. |
Succeeded by | Philip Ella Juico |
Minister of Agrarian Reform | |
In office May 1, 1986 – February 7, 1987 | |
Preceded by | Conrado F. Estrella |
Succeeded by | Post abolished |
Personal details | |
Born | Heherson Turingan Alvarez October 26, 1939 Santiago, Isabela, Commonwealth of the Philippines |
Died | April 20, 2020 | (aged 80)
Political party | PDP-Laban (1986–1988); (2018–2020) |
Other political affiliations | LDP (1988–1998); (2004–2018), LDP-Aquino Wing (2004), Lakas NUCD-UMDP (1998–2001) |
Spouse | Cecile Guidote |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | Harvard University, University of the Philippines |
Profession | Politician |
Website | http://www.hehersonalvarez.com/ |
Heherson "Sonny" Turingan Alvarez (October 16, 1939 - April 20, 2020) was a politician from the Philippines. He served as a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and the Senate of the Philippines. He was also Minister (then Secretary) of Agrarian Reform from 1986 to 1987 and Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources from 2001 to 2002.
He was a young activist who participated in the 1971 constitutional convention.[1] He refused to sign the Ferdinand Marcos regime backed constitution that gave extensions to the president's term in office. He fled with his family to the US leaving the Philippines behind as martial law took its toll on opposition activists.
While in exile, he was one of the organizers of the Free Philippines movement that supported his friend and opposition leader, Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. After Aquino was assassinated, the Philippine leadership changed as Corazon Aquino, the wife of Benigno Aquino Jr., took power after the successful "People Power Revolution". He returned to the Philippines in 1986 to partake in rebuilding the government in the wake of collapse of the Marcos regime. He won a senatorial seat, representing Isabela province's 4th district, in the post-revolution government of President Corazon Aquino. He served two terms 1987 to 1998 and 1998-2001.
Senator Alvarez also held two cabinet positions - Secretary of Agrarian Reform (February 7, 1987 – March 7, 1987) and Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (March 29, 2001 – December 13, 2002). He was known as staunch environmentalist as he was called "Mr. Environment" during his term as Environmental Secretary[1].Moreover, as a senator, he authored the resolution to make April 22 of every year as "Earth Day" in the Philippines.
Education
Sonny Alvarez studied liberal arts at the University of the Philippines. He also earned a master's degree in Economics and Public Administration from Harvard University.
Personal life
Alvarez married, artist and activist, Cecile Guidote; the couple had two children, Hexilon and Herxilla.
Death
Senator Alvarez and wife, Cecile contracted the COVID-19 sometime in March. They were both hospitalized. CNN reported that Heherson Alvarez underwent experimental plasma therapy treatment and blood plasma convalescent therapy.[2] On April 20, 2020, Alvarez died due to complications from COVID-19.[3]
References
- ^ a b Ranada, Pia (April 20, 2020). "Former senator, activist Heherson Alvarez dies from coronavirus". Rappler.com. Rappler Inc. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- ^ "Former Senator Heherson Alvarez dies of COVID-19 at 80". Coconuts Manila. Coconuts Media Company. April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- ^ Galvez, Daphne. "Ex-Senator Heherson Alvarez succumbs to COVID-19". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- 1939 births
- 2020 deaths
- Filipino environmentalists
- Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino politicians
- Senators of the 10th Congress of the Philippines
- Senators of the 9th Congress of the Philippines
- Senators of the 8th Congress of the Philippines
- Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Isabela (province)
- People from Santiago (Philippine city)
- Secretaries of Agrarian Reform of the Philippines
- Secretaries of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines
- John F. Kennedy School of Government alumni
- Filipino expatriates in the United States
- Corazon Aquino Administration cabinet members
- University of the Philippines alumni
- Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines