Former Executive Secretary Rep. Edelmiro Amante, 79

Rep. Edelmiro Amante died in his home in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on Sunday at around 1 p.m., the Agusan del Norte Congressional District Office confirmed on Monday. He was 79.

 

Amante had been suffering from liver-related problems, according to Miriam Pagaran, chief of staff of the congressional district office. "May sakit, liver-related," Pagaran told GMA News Online.

 

Amante was a member of the 15th Congress of the Philippines, as Agusan del Norte 2nd District representative. 

 

In 1992, he was appointed Executive Secretary by then-President Fidel V. Ramos.

 

Born on April 21, 1933 in Butuan City, Amante graduated from Silliman University in 1954 with an Associate in Arts degree, and in 1958 with a Bachelor of Laws degree, according to his personal information posted on the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism's information website.   He began as a "barrio lieutenant" in Ampayon, Butuan City in 1959. From 1960 to 1964, he served as councilor in Butuan City, and was a delegate of Agusan del Norte to the 1972 Constitutional Convention.

 

From 1978 to 1984, he was an assemblyman at the Batasang Pambansa.

 

From 1987 to 1995, he was the representative for the 2nd district of Agusan del Norte in the House of Representatives.

 

He was also chairman of Southern Agusan Timber Corp., President of Summit Timber Corp., and Board member of the PT Taliabu-Luna Timber Corp. in Indonesia. — Carmela G. Lapeña/RSJ, GMA News