House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is now the caretaker of this city’s 1st District after the death of its representative Raul del Mar.

Velasco’s designation as caretaker was formalized on Wednesday, November 18, after Deputy Majority Leader Xavier “XJ” Romualdo nominated Velasco.

“Upon the wishes of the late Raul V del Mar as communicated by his family and constituency,  the honorable Speaker Lord Allan J Velasco is hereby designated as caretaker of the first legislative district of Cebu City,” Romualdo said. 

Presiding Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr accepted since there were no objections.

It is common for the Speaker to be named caretaker of a district whose representative dies while in office. 

Former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, for example, was designated caretaker of Camarines Sur’s 1st District in September after its representative Marissa Andaya died in July. 

Del Mar, who served the district on and off since 1987, died in Manila on Monday, November 16. His cause of death is still unknown and the family has not made any statement on the late congressman’s death. 

His passing was confirmed by the House’s Secretary-General Jocelia Bighani Sipin on Tuesday, November 17. 

Tributes and condolences poured in following the death of Del Mar from both local politicians and national lawmakers. 

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Cebu City congressman Raul del Mar dies at 79

Del Mar was 79 at the time of his death. – with reports from Mara Cepeda/Rappler.com