Camarines Sur lawmaker passes away

MANILA, Philippines - Camarines Sur Rep. Elmer Panotes died yesterday afternoon due to a lingering illness. He was 75.

Roger Panotes, chief of staff of the deceased lawmaker, said Panotes died at his residence in Don Antonio, Quezon City at 2:10 p.m. Panotes said the late lawmaker was suffering from prostate cancer and pneumonia at the time of his death. He celebrated his 75th birthday last Sept. 9.

A member of the Nacionalista Party, Panotes was vice chairman of the House of Representatives committee on natural resources; and senior member of six other House panels, that included the committees on appropriations; Bicol recovery and economic development; accounts and public works and highways.

He was the second member of the 16th Congress to die in office.  Tarlac Rep. Enrique Cojuangco died earlier this year.

Panotes, a certified public accountant and lawyer, won as a Camarines Sur representative in 2010. He was also a mayor of Daet City for four terms or a total 12 years. He also served as board member and acting vice governor of Camarines Norte.

He is survived by wife Marisol and daughter Rosemarie.