Cebu City 1st District Rep. Raul Del Mar passed away on Monday. He was 79 years old.
“We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of former Deputy Speaker Raul Veloso 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,” House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said.
The cause of death was not disclosed, but Velasco said that Del Mar continued to work while he was confined in the hospital.
“While in the hospital, Representative del Mar still proved his passion and commitment to public service, attending virtual plenary sessions and public hearings of the House of Representatives in order to fulfill his duties and mandate as a lawmaker. Never a day in his job was he absent,” Velasco said.
The Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC), mourned the passing of a “media champion.”
Del Mar served as congressman for a total of nine terms since 1987.
“He was a mentor to me and many others. He would have been a deputy speaker under my term,” 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.