Sen. Pia S. Cayetano on Sec. Jesse Robredo: A friend, a mentor

"My family and I join the nation in mourning the loss of a great Filipino servant and friend Sec Jesse Rebredo and his companions.

"We pray that the families of Sec Jesse, his pilot J. Bahinting and co-pilot K. Chand may be enveloped in love at this difficult time. I consider Sec. Jesse not just a friend but a mentor. I was campaigning as a senator in 2004 when I met him as mayor of Naga City.

"Later, I arranged with Mayor Jesse to visit Naga City to learn from their best practices, they were best in everything. For years, I've told people how progressive and inspiring Naga City [is], one of my favorite cities in the country."