Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar passes away

Cebu City Representative Raul del Mar has passed away at 79.

House Secretary General Atty. Jocelia Bighani Sipin confirmed the news to GMA News Online.

No details have been given yet with regards to the cause of Del Mar's death.

In a statement, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco offered his condolences to the family of Del Mar.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his constituencies in the first district of Cebu City, whom he had served well despite his health condition," he said.

Velasco said that despite already being in the hospital, Del Mar still attended the virtual plenary sessions and public hearings of the House in performance of his duties and mandate as a lawmaker.

He added that Del Mar would have been elected as deputy speaker under his term.

"His contributions to Congress and the nation cannot be overstated, having served a total of nine terms as congressman since 1987. He was a mentor to me and many others," Velasco said.

"The dedication of Congressman Del Mar to public service is truly remarkable and serves as an inspiration to many. We owe him a debt of gratitude. He will be missed," he added.

Del Mar served as representative of the first district of Cebu City for nine terms, from 1987 to 1998, 2001 to 2010, and 2013 to present.

Senate mourns

The Senate on Tuesday expressed its condolences to the loved ones of Del Mar.

"We'd like to give our deepest, deepest condolences on behalf of the Senate on the passing of Congressman Raul Del Mar," Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said during the session.

The Senate approved a resolution expressing its "deepest sympathy and condolences" to the family of Del Mar but no further details were immediately mentioned regarding the demise of the congressman.—Dona Magsino/AOL, GMA News