Sorsogon 2nd District Representative Maria Bernardita “Ditas” Ramos passed away.

Her death was announced during the plenary session on Tuesday, September 8, just two days after the House of Representatives announced she tested positive for COVID-19.

Her official cause of death, however, has not been disclosed as of posting. 

“Mr Speaker, it is with sadness that we just found out that our dear colleague, Representative Maria Bernardita ‘Ditas’ Ramos of Sorsogon, has passed away,” Deputy Majority Leader Xavier Jesus Romualdo said during the session.

Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu, who was presiding over the session, then called Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher de Venecia to lead a prayer for the eternal repose of Ramos’ soul. 

The session was then suspended for the day.

Ramos was the 8th House member to get infected with COVID-19. The list includes Senior Citizens Representative Francisco Datol Jr, the first Filipino lawmaker to die of the disease. He was 71 years old.

As of Sunday, September 6, the House has tallied at least 69 cases of COVID-19 among its congressional representatives and staff. 

In the entire Philippines, the coronavirus has so far infected 241,987 people, with 3,916 deaths and 185,178 recoveries as of Tuesday. – Rappler.com