Cuenco a ‘huge loss’ to country, Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The death of former congressman and Cebu City Councilor Antonio Cuenco is a big loss to the country and Cebu, according to Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar yesterday.

“I knew him to be an authentic politician and a dedicated public servant,” del Mar said of Cuenco.

Cuenco died of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Saturday.

“I talked with Tony Cuenco two weeks ago. He still had this robust and vigorous voice that reminded one of his radio announcer days. This afternoon, I just learned he had died,” said del Mar.

“We are truly diminished and saddened by his death: his family, his friends, his constituents, Cebu and the country he had served unselfishly and religiously in his long career in public service,” he added.

Cuenco’s career in public service spanned a total of 24 years.

He previously served as congressman of the fifth district of Cebu and the second district of Cebu City for a total of seven terms. He also served one term as member of the Batasang Pambansa.

From 2010 to 2013, Cuenco was secretary general of the ASEAN Inter-parliament Assembly (AIPA) based abroad before he won a seat in the City Council.

“He had gone through several political battles, against the administrators of martial law and with those who fought for democratic rule. It was my honor to have worked with him at the House of Representatives in the eighth, ninth, tenth, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth Congresses, waging a common cause: how to help our fellow Cebuanos and regain and rebuild a free way of life,” said Del Mar.

Cuenco was still able to participate in the online session of the City Council last Wednesday, June 24.

“I had played basketball with Tony during our younger days, worked with him in the House, and campaigned together for the same advocacies. I knew him to be an authentic politician and a dedicated public servant,” said Del Mar.

“He didn’t survive this current public health crisis. But then he had gone through several fiercer and tougher struggles before and he triumphed. He will surely be remembered more for them,” he added.

At the City Council, Cuenco served as chairman of the committee on transportation, communication, energy, and other utilities, as well as the committee on education, science and technology.  KQD (FREEMAN)