Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III led the House of Representatives in honoring the late Batanes Representative Ciriaco “Jun” B. Gato Jr., remembering the physician-lawmaker who began by caring for patients in his home province and went on to serve Filipinos across the country through Congress.
In his eulogy during the necrological service for Gato at the House of Representatives, the Speaker said the trust repeatedly given to Gato by the people of Batanes allowed him to bring his experience as a physician to the entire country.
“For three consecutive Congresses, the people of Batanes entrusted him with the privilege of representing them. Mula sa pagiging doktor na nangalaga sa kanyang mga kababayan sa Batanes, naging doktor at mambabatas si Congressman Jun na naglingkod sa buong bansa,” Dy stressed.
The veteran legislator said Gato’s years as a physician shaped the way he approached his responsibilities as a legislator, particularly on issues involving public health.
“Bilang doktor, sanay siyang makinig sa kanyang mga pasyente. Bago magbigay ng diagnosis, inaalam muna niya ang kanilang nararamdaman. Bago magbigay ng lunas, inuunawa muna niya ang pinagmumulan ng kanilang karamdaman,” the seasoned lawmaker stressed.
“At marahil iyon din ang dinala ni Congressman Jun sa Kongreso. Sa bawat committee hearing. Sa bawat panukalang batas. Sa bawat diskusyon tungkol sa kalusugan. Sa bawat desisyong maaaring makaapekto sa buhay ng isang Pilipino,” he added.
As Chairperson of the House Committee on Health, Gato used his medical experience to advance reforms in hospital infrastructure, maternal and child health, emergency response, blood services and patient safety. He also authored and supported measures including the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines Act and the expansion of the bed capacity of CARAGA Regional Hospital.
Dy recalled that although he only came to know Gato personally during the 20th Congress, they had an opportunity to discuss some of the country’s pressing healthcare concerns, including PhilHealth, zero balance billing, and Gato’s proposal to establish a specialized center for the healthcare needs of senior citizens.
“Kahit doktor siya, lagi niyang tinitingnan ang mga usaping ito mula sa kalagayan ng pasyente.”
“Ang tumatak sa akin: kahit doktor siya, lagi niyang tinitingnan ang mga usaping ito mula sa kalagayan ng pasyente—lalo na ng mga pamilyang kapos at hirap makakuha ng sapat na health care,” Dy said.
“Kaya nang pag-usapan namin ang zero balance billing, nakita kong hindi iyon simpleng usapin ng polisiya para sa kanya. Pareho ang pangarap namin na dumating ang araw na maging accessible at abot-kaya ang health care para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” he added.
Dy vowed that the House would continue the healthcare reforms Gato championed, including the proposed Dr. Eva Macaraeg-Macapagal National Center for Geriatric Health and Research Institute, which would provide specialized healthcare for senior citizens.
“Congressman Jun, maikli man ang panahong nakilala kita, hindi ko makakalimutan ang pag-uusap nating iyon. Salamat sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob mo sa akin,” Dy said.
“At ngayong wala ka na sa aming piling, nais kong sabihin sa iyo: hindi matatapos doon ang ating pag-uusap. Ipagpapatuloy namin ang mga ipinaglaban mo: ang mas maayos na health care para sa bawat Pilipino,” he added.
Dy also thanked Gato’s family for sharing him with Batanes, Congress and the Filipino people throughout his years of public service.
“Maraming salamat sa pagpapahiram ninyo sa kanya sa ating bayan. Dahil ang bawat oras na ginugol niya sa Kongreso ay oras na hindi niya naibigay sa inyo. Ang bawat araw na ginugol niya sa paglilingkod ay araw na maaaring sana ay kapiling ninyo siya,” he said.
“That too was your family’s sacrifice for our country. At hindi namin iyon makakalimutan,” Dy stressed.
The Speaker said the House would remember Gato not only for the measures he helped enact but for a lifetime built around caring for others—from his patients in Batanes to the Filipinos ultimately served by his work in Congress.
“Sa House Resolution na ating pinagtibay, kinikilala natin si Congressman Jun bilang isang minamahal na anak ng Batanes—isang doktor, isang mambabatas, at isang lingkod-bayan na inilaan ang kanyang buhay para sa kapakanan ng kanyang mga kababayan. He was someone who chose to serve,” Dy said.
“Sa araw na ito, hindi lamang tayo nagpapaalam. Nagpapasalamat tayo.”
“Kaya sa araw na ito, hindi lamang tayo nagpapaalam. Nagpapasalamat tayo. For the years he gave. For the people he served. For the lives he touched. And for the example he leaves behind,” he added.
Dy closed his tribute with a commitment that the House would carry forward the work Gato left behind.
“Rest now, Congressman Jun. You have served Batanes. You have served this House. You have served your country well,” the Speaker said.
“Maraming salamat sa iyong buhay. Maraming salamat sa iyong paglilingkod. At maraming salamat sa mga pangarap na iniwan mo para aming ipagpatuloy,” Dy concluded.
