Ex-Ilocos Norte solon Roque Ablan Jr. passes away

Former Ilocos Norte Representative Roque "Roquito" Ablan Jr. passed away Monday morning at 85 years old.

His son, Communications Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan, confirmed his father's passing in a Facebook post.

"My dad passed away peacefully this morning. Lucky to be at his bedside when he died," said the younger Ablan in his post.

The former lawmaker's passing was also confirmed by Executive Director Edith Cardenas of the House Interparliamentary Relations and Special Affairs Bureau.

The Philippine flag at the House of Representatives has been flown at half-mast to mourn its former member's death.

Ablan served as representative of the first district of Ilocos Norte from 1968 to 1998, and from 2001 to 2010. —KG/JST, GMA News