Kabayan Rep. Calalang passes away at 67

KABAYAN party-list Representative Atty. Ciriaco Calalang passed away early Sunday morning after a massive stroke. He was 67.

Fellow KABAYAN party-list Representative Ron Salo confirmed Calalang's death in a statement sent to reporters.

Calalang was confined at the De Los Santos Medical Center in Quezon City where he underwent surgery last September 17.

He is survived by his three adopted children.

A law professor and taxation lawyer by profession, Calalang was sworn into office in January this year after former Kabayan party-list Representative Harry Roque was appointed presidential spokesperson.

The fourth nominee of KABAYAN party-list will take over the position Calalang left.

Salo said Calalang's public service as lawmaker may be brief but it was "a time and energies well-spent."

"He was able to author and co-author 47 house measures and helped raise public awareness about KABAYAN's platform and his key advocacies on juvenile justice, education, senior citizens, criminal justice, public transportation, and land use," Salo said.

"Rep. Calalang was the good, favorite uncle within KABAYAN. We will miss him dearly," he added.

Calalang's public wake will be held at the St. Peter Memorial Chapels along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City starting September 26 at 5 p.m. —KG, GMA News