Palawan Rep. Edgardo Salvame; 61

Rep. Edgardo Salvame—EDGARDO SALVAME FACEBOOK PAGE

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Palawan Rep. Edgardo Salvame died early on Wednesday, a post on his official Facebook page said. He was 61.

“Manong Egay (Salvame’s nickname) lived a life of purpose and adventures. Lumaki sa isla, nagsumikap na magtagumpay sa buhay, hanggang sa tinawag ng tadhana upang magsilbi sa ating bayan (Raised on the island, strove to become successful in life, until he was called by fate to serve the nation),” the post read.

READ: Romualdez: Palawan solon Salvame’s death leaves big gap in Congress

The lawmaker died in Singapore while recovering from a medical operation recently done on his spine, a source close to the family told the Inquirer. The source asked not to be named in this report due to a lack of authority to speak on the matter.

Salvame, a native of Taytay town, was serving his first term as Palawan’s first district representative. He authored at least 71 bills, most of which have tourism significance and have been approved in the lower chamber and pending before the Senate. He also coauthored 31 other bills.

IN MOURNING The Philippine flag at the Palawan capitol is raised at half-staff as the province mourns the passing of Rep. Edgardo Salvame on Wednesday. —GERALDFORD TICKE

‘Huge loss’

The Philippine flag at the provincial capitol here was raised at half-staff as a sign of mourning.

At the House of Representatives, Speaker Martin Romualdez said Salvame’s sudden passing left a “significant gap in Congress [and] a huge loss for our community and our nation.” “His commitment, integrity, and ceaseless effort to advocate for his constituents have profoundly impacted all of us fortunate enough to have known and worked with him,” he said.

Salvame’s death shocked Palaweños, as it came just five months after the death of third district Rep. Edward Hagedorn.

Salvame’s family has yet to release details on his wake and burial. —WITH A REPORT FROM KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING