Bohol’s 2nd district congressman laid to rest

Then Bohol Gov.Erico Aumentado tries his hands and feet, at raffia loomweaving during the Guiness bid launching in 2009. Lawmakers on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, bid farewell and paid tribute to Aumentado in rites at the Batasang Pambansa and eulogies delivered by colleagues. FOTO/RAYMUND BUSLON/FILE PHOTO

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines—At least 3,000 people bid farewell to Representative Erico Aumentado of Bohol’s 2nd district, who died on Christmas following a battle with pneumonia.

St. Joseph Cathedral here was filled with supporters–many of whom came from the different towns of Bohol–to hear Mass for Aumentado, who was also governor for three terms before he was elected congressman in 2010.

From St. Joseph, his body was brought to Victoria Memorial Park in Tagbilaran, where he was given a 21-gun salute by the Armed Forces of the Philippines before he was buried past 4 p.m. on Saturday.

More than 200 supporters wore white shirts printed with the words, “We love you Congressman Erico Aumentado.”

Aumentado is survived by his wife, Peregrina Adlaon Cabagnot-Aumentado, three sons, five daughters, 19 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

His family was touched by the outpouring of sympathy shown by Boholanos to the congressman.

“Erico Aumentado was not only a father and grandfather to his family but also a father and a grandfather to the province,” said Jiselle Rae Villamor, Aumentado’s granddaughter.

She said she was thankful to her grandfather for showing how to lead a virtuous life and to be prayerful.

Aumentado, 72, died at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Global City at 8:37 p.m. on December 25 due to pneumonia.

His body was brought to the House of Representatives on December 27 for a necrological service before he was flown back to his hometown in Tagbilaran on Dec. 29.

Aumentado’s remains were also brought to different towns along the circumferential road, which is one of the projects he initiated that boosted the province’s tourism.

At 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aumentado was brought to the provincial capitol from Bohol Cultural Center and was given a Gawad sa Kaunlaran award and plague of recognition from the AFP. It was during his term as governor when Bohol was declared insurgency free in 2010.

From the capitol, the congressman’s black coffin was placed on a hearse for a funeral procession around Rizal Park to St. Joseph Cathedral.