Cebu City 1st District Representative Raul V. Del Mar died on Monday night, November 16. He was 79.
Del Mar was the principal author of Republic Act No. 11122 of 2018, declaring September 21 of each year as a working holiday in the cities and province of Cebu in celebration of Cebu Press Freedom Day. He was also credited for expanding Republic Act No. 53 or the Sotto Law, which protects media practitioners.
The House of Representatives Secretary-General Jocelia Bighani Sipin confirmed Del Mar’s demise, but no further details were given as to the cause of the legislator’s death.
In a statement, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco extended his condolences to the family of Del Mar, who also commended the congressman’s contribution to politics.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his constituencies in the first district of Cebu City, who he had served well despite his health condition,” Velasco said.
Velasco also added that days before Del Mar‘s death, he still managed to attend the virtual plenary sessions and public hearings even when he was admitted to the hospital.
“We have lost a great Cebuano,” Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia’s statement said in regards to the demise of the congressman which she only learned during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
On the other hand, Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella declared a “week of mourning” starting November 17 to 22 in Cebu City over the congressman’s death.
“With his death, we remember a colorful life of a public servant who contributed to the development of Cebu,” Labella said.
Del Mar devoted his life to public service, serving a total of 9 terms as a congressman since 1986 and as the recent representative of Cebu City's 1st District.
Words by Louie Jay Vildosola Layout by Kiziah Magbanua
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