Messages of Condolence

I would like to personally extend my condolences to the family of Senator Herrera and the TUCP. I pay tribute to him not only as a great labor leader who dedicated his life to improving and defending the lives of Filipino workers, but also as a Solidarity Center partner to implement worker empowerment programs in often hostile environments. I was also fortunate to have been on the receiving end of Senator Herrera’s generosity xxx and will remember our conversations on the state of US politics and building a global labor movement. Many thanks to Senator Herrera and may he rest in peace and power.

In Solidarity,
Atley Chock
Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO

It is unfortunate to hear the said demise of Bro. President Ernesto F. Herrera ATUC General Secretary and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP). It will be a great loss to the trade union movement.

Please accept our condolences . May God rest his soul. SEWA leaders and members are with TUCP and his family.

In solidarity
Manali Shah
Secretary, National Council, SEWA

I would like to convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members, relatives and union colleagues who recently lost a great mentor (late Ernesto Herrera) of the labour movement in the Philippines. The contribution Late Bro Herrera has made under his leadership for the defence of labour rights and the development of trade unions in the country is highly respected and commonly recognised. I wish the trade unions in the country will become much stronger than before.

Pong-Sul Ahn
Regional Specialist in Workers’ Education
ILO Regional Office for Bangkok

Dear Brother,

We are shocked to learn the news of passing away of our Brother Ernesto F. Herrera. Bro. Herrera contributed a lot for not only for the workers of the Philippines but also to the workers of East Asia as General Secretary of ATUC and the workers of the whole world as Member of the Executive Board of the ICFTU & also as Consultant for Workers Education of the ILO. The remarkable contribution he made for the people of the Philippines as elected Senator will also be remembered with respect.

I, on behalf of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal and on my own behalf express great sorrow and pay highest respect to the memories of our Bro. Herrera.

Please convey our sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

May the Creator grant peace for his soul.

Yours sincerely,

Nazrul Islam Khan
Former Ambassador
Member, National Standing Committee, BNP
Chief Advisor, Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Sramik Dal – BJSD
Chairman, IndustriAll Bangladesh Council – IBC
Secretary General, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies – BILS

we recieve with deep sorrow the news of passing of ATUC General Secretary and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) President Ernesto F. Herrera on 29 October 2015. Brother Herrera spent most of his professional life in the cause of labor, mainly as general secretary of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).

الاتحاد العام لعمال سلطنة عُمان
General Federation of Oman Trade Unions

I was really sorry to learn of the death of Bro. Herrera; he was an incredible fighter for trade union democracy in the Philippines, and had seen a lot of challenges in his life, including those of the last few years. I want to convey my personal condolences and admiration for him, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to know and work with him and the TUCP over the last many years. His leadership and spirit will be missed.

In solidarity,
Timothy Ryan
Regional Program Director – Asia
Solidarity Center/Washington

Dear colleagues!

FPRK expresses heartfelt condolence to the colleagues, friends and family.

We are sorely diminished by the loss.

Yours,

Nina Osmanova
Director of
International Department
Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana

“I feel a profound loss in the sudden and untimely death of former Senator Ernesto “Boy” F. Herrera. I sympathize and condole with his family and loved ones in their hour of sorrow and bereavement.

“We at the DOLE will remember most Senator Herrera as chairman of the Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development at the Senate, where he steered reform legislation that resulted toamendments in labor relations law and the establishment of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“As the longest-serving general secretary of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), he established an enviable reputation as the only Filipino member of the executive board of the International Federation of Free Trade Union in Brussels, Belgium, from 1988 to 1992, and the first Asian and the second individual to receive the George Meany International Human Rights Awards in 1985, the first being Lech Walesa of the Solidarity movement and former President of Poland.

“He spent most of his life for the cause of labor and unionism in the country before he joined politics, and his passing will surely be felt as he leaves a void in the trade union movement.

“To his bereaved family and loved ones, the DOLE family extends our heartfelt prayers and sympathies.”

Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz

It is a deep sad news. My deep condolence to the family and the colleagues who had the honor to work with him for uplifting the cause of labour in Asia and Pacific region. It is a great loss for all of us at ATUC.

Vilay
LFTU-ATUC Coordinator
​Lao PDR​

On behalf of KSBSI, our deep condolence for family of brother Harrera.
His struggle will always be our inspiration.

Best regards
Sulistri
KSBSI Indonesia

We are very sorry to hear that Bro Herrera passed away. We would like to send our condolences to his family and the TUCP for losing a loved one and a good leader of your organization.

We wish him to rest in peace.

Chuon Momthol
President
Cambodian Confederation of Trade Unions (CCTU)

We, the National Congress of Private Industrial Employees (NCPE), received the news of the late Brother Ernesto and we are writing to express our deep sympathy.

Please convey our heartfelt condolences to Brother Ernesto’s family as well as to all brothers and sisters at ATUC who had the honor to work closely with him.

He had spent most of his life in the cause of labour, in the Philippines as well as in the Asia Pacific region. His departure is a great loss for all of us at ATUC.

Please count us among those who share your sorrow at this sad time.

Tavee Deeying
President
National Congress Private Industrial of Employees (NCPE)
Thailand

It is a surprising sad news. My deep condolences for the family and the colleagues who had the honor to work with him for uplifting the cause of labour in the Asia and Pacific region. It is a great loss for all of us at ATUC [ASEAN Trade Union Council].

Sujira Thiensathaporn
Coordinator
Migrant Resource Centre
Thailand

Please convey my deepest regrets to Brother Herrera’s family. With his passing, we have lost a great labor leader, freedom fighter, and someone I considered a personal friend. During my time in the Philippines, I came to admire his boundless energy and commitment in support of our joint problems to better the lives of Filipino working men and women. And, we must never forget the important role he played in helping to end the Marcos dictatorship and reestablish democracy in the Philippines at the risk of his health and his life. By word and action Brother Herrera represented all of the best principles of the international democratic trade union movement. His dedication and service to Labor’s struggles will be missed but never forgotten.

Harry Kamberis
Executive Director, Solidarity Center (retired) and
former Solidarity Center Representative, Philippines

Harry forwarded on to me the sad and untimely news of Boy’s passing. Please give my condolences to his family.

xxx I first met Boy over thirty years ago when he came to the U.S. to accept the George Meany Human Rights Award. On our way to the convention at which the award was to be given we travelled together for several days during which we met the elite of the Filipino diaspora in California. I remember well the way Boy handled those meetings xxx.

I also remember the many times I would come to the Philippines to advance our joint work and how gracious Boy was to me xxx.

Boy had the capacity to dream big thoughts and he offered a few dreams to me during that meeting.

Some of those dreams actually came true. While I know he was disappointed that the labor movement in the Philippines could not come together in a common cause, I also know that he never gave up hope that he just might make it happen. T hat is now left for others to pursue.

With Solidarity,

Mark Hankin
Solidarity Center (retired)

Condolence

It is with shock that we heard about the sad demise of former Senator and President of TUCP ‘Bro Ernesto F. Herrera’. It is indeed a tragic loss of a veteran labour leader and we join with you all in this hour of grief in extending our heartfelt condolences to members of the family and the colleagues in TUCP.

Bro Herrera was one of the stalwarts of the Philippines labour movement who spent most of his professional life advocating the cause of Filipino workers and trade union rights in Philippines. He would be remembered for his many contributions to furthering democracy and the welfare of labour, not the least by Filipino Overseas Workers who have benefitted much from the 1995 Migrant Workers’ Act of which he was the principle author during his time as Senator.

With the demise of Bro Herrera, it seems as if an era is coming to end in the labour movement of Philippines. TUCP has lost a dynamic leader, an organization man and a colleague many admired. We hope his dedication to the cause of Filipino workers would remain an inspiration for all of us who seek to strengthen the labour movement.

In solidarity and on behalf of ACTRAV Team

Arun

It is with great sorrow that we have received the sad news of the passing of Dr. Herrera early this morning. We know how much he meant to you and TUCP both as a trade union leader and as a friend. Please accept our heartfelt condolence and convey our deepest sympathy to his family and associates.

Yours sincerely,

Hisashige Danno
Executive Director
JILAF

It is sad to hear the passing of TUCP President Ernesto Herrera yesterday. He is such a nice man and a good leader. May he Rest in Peace.

Regards
Andy Soo

The ILO ASEAN TRIANGLE Project (ATP) Management Team wishes to convey its sincere condolences to the family of Senator Ernesto Herrera, President of TUCP and Secretary-General of the ASEAN Trade Union Council (ATUC), who passed away today in Manila. Senator Herrera will always be remembered for his outstanding concern for the promotion of rights and the protection of migrant workers and their families in the Philippines and in the whole of ASEAN. The memory of his untiring support to the cause of migrant workers will remain as source of inspiration and encouragement to all of us.

Manuel Imson
Project Coordinator ASEAN TRIANGLE Project (ATP)
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP)
Bangkok, Thailand

Condolence.
Extremely sorry to hear this news about Brother Herrera.

In Sympathy

Dave Welsh
Solidarity Center