House honors lawmakers, staff killed during pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has paid tribute to its incumbent and former members and personnel who passed away during the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco led the memorial service held last Friday for four incumbent House members Reps. Nestor Fongwan of Benguet, Marissa Andaya of Camarines Sur, Francisco Datol Jr. of Senior Citizens party-list and Maria Bernardita Ramos of Sorsogon who were all not accorded the traditional necrological services in Congress due to safety and health restrictions enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The legislative body also paid its respects to 19 former House members who died over the past year, that included former Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella Jr. of Camarines Sur and former senators and representatives Heherson Alvarez of Isabela, Maria Teresa Aquino-Oreta of Malabon-Navotas and Edgardo Ilarde of Rizal.

Tribute was also given to former Reps. Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. of Tarlac, Romulo Lumauig of Ifugao, Amadeo Perez Jr. of Pangasinan, Milagrosa Tan of Samar, Edgar Mendoza of Batangas, Martin Isidro of Manila, Antonio Cuenco of Cebu, Arcadio Gorriceta of Iloilo, Jose Ping-ay of the COOP NATCCO party-list, Alfredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental, Augusto Syjuco Jr. of Iloilo, Zenaida de Castro-Maranan of 1-UTAK party-list, Elnorita Tugung of Basilan, Pacifico Fajardo of Nueva Ecija and Yusop Jikiri of Sulu.

Velasco expressed his gratitude to the deceased legislators and employees for their contributions to the country and their dedication to serve even in the midst of the pandemic.