Camarines Sur First District Representative Marissa Andaya died of cancer on Sunday, said her husband, former congressman Rolando Andaya Jr.
“The love of my life has passed on into eternal life,” he said in a statement. “Her people lost their leader, our children, their caring mother, and I, my best friend.”
Rolando called Congresswoman Marissa Andaya a “cancer warrior” who fought the disease in the past seven years.
“Although immunocompromised, she chose to be with [her constituents] from Day One of the lockdown, daily doing the rounds of her district, helping the sick, the stranded, and those who have lost jobs and livelihood,” he said.
He said that they found out her cancer returned in June during her scheduled medical check-up.
“Tonight, surrounded by her loved ones, her beautiful heart gave up,” Andaya’s husband said. “I am blessed to have spent half of my life—twenty-five happy years—with this wonderful woman with a generous spirit and compassionate heart who was devoted to her family, her faith, her oath, and her fellow men.”
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Political personalities who died during pandemic
There are a number of political personalities who died during the coronavirus crisis in the country.
Former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr died on June 12. His wife, Cecille, said Yasay, who is already 73 years old, died of pneumonia due to a complication from cancer recurrence. The former DFA chief has battled two cancers in life.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of San Miguel Corporation Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr died on June 17. According to DZRH News, the business tycoon and owner of the Philippines’ largest food-and-drink company died of cancer.
Apart from business, Cojuangco also entered Philippine politics. He founded the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in 1992. He also ran for the presidency against Fidel Ramos in the same year.
Before taking his bid for the presidency, he was Governor of Tarlac City from 1967 – 1969 and became Tarlac’s 1st District Representative from 1969 to 1972.
Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva passed away on May 29 due to sepsis secondary to bacterial pneumonia.”
According to Senator Villanueva, her sister chose to continue serving her constituents despite carrying a medical condition, which eventually led to her demise.