InterAksyon.com
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MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE - 1:12 p.m.) Bohol Representative Erico Aumentado passed away at 8:37 p.m. on Christmas Day, an announcement from the House of Representatives said.
Aumentado, 72, died of pneumonia.
The House will host necrological services for the late congressman on Thursday, December 27.
Although a member of the minority bloc, he chaired the ethics committee.
He also served as head of the committee created by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. in June to create guidelines on the issuance of Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net worth of House members.
Before winning the race to represent Bohol's second district in the June 2010 elections, Aumentado was governor of the province. He was also an officer of the League of Provinces of the Philippines.
He was a member of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party.
Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone called Aumentado's death "a great loss not only to Bohol but to our country" while Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. called the late lawmaker "one of the most exemplary public servants."
"When he was my colleague in the governors' league, he was very passionate about democracy, rule of law and protection of the interests of the less fortunate sector. He was a dedicated and very sincere public servant," Evardone said.
In a statement, Belmonte said Aumentado died a poor man "because he never made politcs the source of his livelihood."
"Throughout all his four terms as congressman, three terms as governor, as well as his earlier stints as vice governor and member of the provincial board, Eric’s integrity and honor have never been in doubt," Belmonte said.
The Speaker said Aumentado transformed Bohol into one of the most progressive, peaceful and richest provinces in the country.
"He was truly an outstanding solon -- learned, dedicated, and principled. A gifted writer and newspaperman, Eric pursued his crusading spirit in politics, faithful to his oath and to the highest standards of public service," he added.
"He was a very dear friend for whom I had the highest respect both as a colleague in Congress and in the writing profession," Belmonte said.
Aumentado was born on May 18, 1940 in Ubay, Bohol.
He graduated with Bachelor of Laws at the Univesity of Bohol.
He was supposed to run for reelection in the May 2013 elections.
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