Ex-speaker Fuentebella, 74

MANILA, Philippines — Former speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella died yesterday. He was 74.

Fuentebella’s son Arnulf Bryan, incumbent representative of the fourth district of Camarines Sur, confirmed in a post on Facebook that his father died of heart failure after battling a kidney disease for two years.

”Your prayers for his final journey back home will be fondly appreciated,” Arnulf Bryan’s post read.

He said funeral details would be announced in the next days.

Malacañang condoled with the family and colleagues of Fuentebella.

”Former speaker Fuentebella served the country and the province of Camarines Sur well. The time and effort he gave to improve the condition of his beloved district will always be remembered by his constituents,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

Fuentebella served as Camarines Sur third district representative for three terms starting in 1992, and fourth district representative from 2010 to 2013 and 2016 to 2019.

He was elected speaker in November 2000 during the impeachment trial of former president Joseph Estrada.

He was replaced by former Quezon City lawmaker Feliciano Belmonte shortly after then vice president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was installed president following the second EDSA people power in 2001.— Cet Dematera, Alexis Romero