Rep. Panotes, 75

The House of Representatives is mourning the passing of Rep. Elmer E. Panotes a second term congressman from the second district of Camarines Norte. Panotes, 75, died at his residence in Don Antonio Subdivision, Quezon City at 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday. He was the second congressman to die in office, the first one being Tarlac Rep. Enrique Cojuangco. Panotes was vice chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources and a member of the Committees on Accounts; Appropriations, Public Works and Hoghways and Bicol Recovery and Economic Development, among others. Before his death, the lawmaker asked his wife to take his place by running for congressman in 2016. (Ben R. Rosario)