Lapu-Lapu councilor passes away

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine flag at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall was at half-staff starting yesterday as a sign of mourning and grief over the death of City Councilor Damian "Damgo" Gomez. He was 67.

Gomez passed away yesterday morning at Perpetual Succour Hospital after he was admitted last Saturday.

According to Ruben, the nephew of the councilor, Gomez felt weak after eating breakfast and decided to take a nap.  Ruben said Gomez was already unresponsive when they tried to wake him up.

Acting Vice Mayor Harry Radaza said he was shocked to learn about Gomez’s death.  He said he learned that the councilor already underwent an operation of his liver.

"Naoperahan man daw siya sa una sa atay. Mora’g nibalik ang iyang sakit pero gidala-dala ra niya," Radaza said.

City Council Secretary Francisco Limpangog said he will communicate with Gomez’s family as to when the councilor’s remains would be brought to the City Hall for public viewing.

Gomez served the city for more than a decade. He was first elected in 1988 and stayed until 1998. He ran for provincial board member in 1998, won, but resigned in 2000 for health reasons.

In 2001, he ran again for city councilor and won, but he resigned in the middle of 2008 for the same reason.

In 2010 until 2015, Gomez served as Lapu-Lapu Tourism Commission chairman until 2016, when he ran and won as city councilor under the ticket of Mayor Paz Radaza.

As to who would replace Gomez in the City Council Section 45 of the  Local Government Code of 1991 states that, “(T)he appointee shall come from the same political party as that of the Council member who caused the vacancy and shall serve the unexpired term of the vacant office.”  (FREEMAN)