Mt. Province lawmaker dies

MANILA, Philippines - Mt. Province Rep. Maximo Dalog died yesterday due to blood clotting and pneumonia at a Quezon City hospital, his staff announced.

His remains will be brought to Tam-awan, Baguio City this morning for public viewing. They will be transported later today to his home in Caluttit in the provincial capital of Bontoc for an overnight vigil. A necrological service will be held on June 6. His remains will then be brought back to Bila, Bauko.

A necrological service will be held at the multi-purpose hall of the House on Tuesday. Burial will be on June 12.

The late congressman chaired the committee on North Luzon growth quadrangle, a position he also held in his two previous terms. He was a member of the committees on dangerous drugs, local government, and higher and technical education.

He had just started his third and last term as representative of the lone district of Mt. Province. He also served as board member and governor of his province.

The House of Representatives now has four vacancies with the death of Dalog, Jum Akbar of Basilan and Tupay Loong of Sulu, and the appointment of Mark Villar of Las Piñas as secretary of highways and public works. 

The chamber’s membership is down to 291.

Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. said Dalog was “our mun tonah, a pangat (elder), a kadangyan (wealthy, powerful, influential man) and a Cordilleran solon.” 

As a lawmaker, Dalog pushed for the autonomy of the Cordilla region.   

Dalog was born on Oct. 1, 1946 and was married to Cecilia Yawan. They have six children.  – With Artemio Dumlao