Camarines Norte Rep. Panotes passes away

CAMARINES Norte Rep. Elmer Panotes passed away on Wednesday at the age of 75.

Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II confirmed Panotes’ death to reporters.

A member of the Nacionalista Party, Panotes had been suffering from prostate cancer. He supposedly died of pneumonia.

Panotes just celebrated his 75th birthday last September 9.

Panotes is the second member of the House of Representatives to die this year. Tarlac Rep. Enrique Cojuangco, an uncle of President Benigno Aquino III, died due to aneurysm on May 12.

Roger Panotes, the deceased lawmaker’s chief of staff, said the congressman died at his residence in Don Antonio Subdivision in Quezon City at 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday.

Panotes served as vice chair of the House committee on natural resources and a member of the committees on accounts, appropriations, aquaculture and fisheries resources, Bicol recovery and economic development, games and amusement, public works and highways, and ways and means.

Before becoming congressman in 2010, Panotes served as Daet mayor in Camarines Norte from 1992 to 2001 and 2004 to 2007. He was also Camarines Norte vice governor from 1986 to 1987.

Panotes remains would neither be displayed in the House plenary hall nor be accorded with posthumous honors by his colleagues as requested by his family members.

“He was worried, his funeral might only disrupt plenary session and prevent his colleagues from taking up vital measures,” a family member said.

Panotes is survived by wife, Marisol and daughter, Rosemarie.