.

Aquilino Pimentel Jr. played a critical part among the opposition during the final days of the Marcos regime. Together with other EDSA personalities and allies, Pimentel helped plot the opposition’s moves against the dictatorship during those fateful days in February 1986. After the People Power of 1986, Pimentel was appointed by President Corazon Aquino as Secretary of Local Government and Presidential Advisor/Chief Negotiator with the Muslim insurgents in Mindanao.

Much later, during the impeachment trial of Joseph Estrada, then Senate President Pimentel was one of those who voted in favor of the opening of the second bank envelope that contained crucial evidence of corruption. Joseph Estrada was later ousted through what is now known as EDSA Dos. Pimentel occupied the Senate Presidency until the end of the regular session on June 2001. Between 1998 and 2010, Pimentel served three terms as senator. Before this, he was also in the Philippine Senate from 1987 to 1992.

Aside from being a noted politician, he is also a lawyer, professor, columnist and book author. Pimentel came from a political family in Cagayan de Oro. As a politician, Pimentel was also a staunch anti-Marcos activist, and anti-corruption and electoral fraud advocate.

[download id=”2″ format=”1″]