Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 13) — Former Senate president Edgardo Angara has passed away. He was 83.

This was announced by his son, Senator Sonny Angara, in a tweet Sunday.

The younger Angara said his father passed away due to an "apparent heart attack."

"We are still arranging funeral arrangements for my father but will keep everyone posted too. We ask for prayers for the repose of his soul," he said in another tweet.

Angara was elected to the Senate for four terms, and served as Senate President from 1993 to 1995.

He also served under the Estrada administration as the Agriculture Secretary from 1999 to 2000, and as Executive Secretary in 2001.

In May 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed him as the special envoy to the European Union.

Messages of sympathy

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque recalled the former Senate president's contributions to the country.

"Mr. Angara's contribution to nation-building was immense and his name will always be prominent in the pages of our country's modern political history. He will be missed," Roque said in a statement.

Senator Loren Legarda described Angara "a great man, a visionary, an indefatigable worker, esteemed public servant, deep thinker, one of the Philippines' most brilliant minds, (and) a dear friend."

Senator Nancy Binay, one of the closest colleagues of Sonny Angara in the Senate, also extended her sympathies to the family.

Senators Miguel Zubiri and Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, remember Angara as their mentor.

"He taught me to focus on the important pieces of legislation that would make the most impact for the country rather than picking fights and taking on controversies," Zubiri said.

Villanueva said the former senator treated him like his own son.

"I am out of words to adequately express the sorrow I feel at this moment," Villanueva added.

National Privacy Commission Privacy Commissioner Raymund Liboro also lauded Angara for his legislative work.

"Millennials owe Sen. Ed Angara a debt of gratitude for ensuring them a more protected future through his authorship of 21st Century laws like the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Data Privacy Act," Liboro said.

The late legislator also authored landmark bills like the Senior Citizens' Act, PhilHealth Act, and Generics Act.