Senior citizens representative Datol dies

MANILA, Philippines — Francisco Datol Jr., the lawmaker representing senior citizens in Congress, died yesterday of diabetes. He was 71.

House Secretary General Jose Luis Montales said the lower chamber is still getting other details regarding Datol’s demise.

“It is with deep sadness to inform you that congressman Francisco “Jun” Datol passed away,” Montales told reporters.

Datol was the sole representative of the Senior Citizens party-list. He chaired the House committee on senior citizens.

He is the fourth lawmaker to die since the start of the 18th Congress.

The others were Rodolfo Albano Jr. of Isabela, Nestor Fongwan of Benguet and Marissa Andaya of Camarines Sur.

Lawmakers expressed their condolences to the family of Datol.

“He was an exemplary leader and a man of vision, action and compassion who championed the care for the elderly,” House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said.

“We have lost a determined advocate for the poor and marginalized,” Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero, who heads the Party-list Coalition, said.

Datol pushed for bills protecting the welfare of elderly Filipinos.

It remains uncertain who will be Datol’s successor, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said there are still issues that should be resolved by the poll body concerning the group’s list of nominees.

Jimenez said there is a pending motion for withdrawal filed by other nominees of the Senior Citizens party-list.

“As far as the Comelec is concerned, there is no clear successor because of the group’s pending issue on recognition of its official nominees,” he said.  – Sheila Crisostomo