Velasco: Late Cebu City Rep. Del Mar would’ve been deputy speaker under my term

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Tuesday mourned the passing of Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar, who he said would have been his deputy speaker during his term.

Del Mar passed away on Monday evening. He was 79.

“Representative Del Mar proved his passion and commitment to public service by religiously attending plenary sessions and public hearings of the House of Representatives in order to fulfill his duties and mandate as a lawmaker. He had perfect attendance for the 27 years that he was a lawmaker,” Velasco said in a statement.

“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.

Velasco described Del Mar as a “mentor to me and many others,” adding that  the latter’s dedication to public service serves as an “inspiration to many.”

The Speaker extended his condolences to the family of Del Mar.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said he is “deeply saddened” by the passing of Del Mar, whom he described as his “good friend.”

“Rep. Del Mar will be terribly missed in the halls of Congress, where he devoted most of his public life crafting legislation that aim to improve our people’s living condition,” Romualdez said.

“At a ripe age of 79, he never got tired of reporting for work to serve his constituents even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

JPV