Camarines Sur 1st district Rep. Marissa Andaya passed away on Sunday, July 5, Anakalusugan Party-List Rep. Mike Defensor confirmed to the Manila Bulletin.
She died at St. Luke's Hospital, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. She was 51. The cause of death was reportedly liver cancer.
Andaya was the wife of her predecessor from the 17th Congress, former Majority Leader Rolando "Nonoy" Andaya.
"Sobrang close yung dalawang yun. Si Noy, dependent kay Marissa, she was his source of strength. They were inseparable (Those two were very close. Noy was dependent on Marissa)," a despondent-sounding Defensor said in a phone interview.
Defensor said he learned of the bad news at 8 p.m., and has since been in touch with the ex-Majority Leader. "Umiiyak (He was crying)," he said, adding that the two were high school sweethearts.
What was more shocking according to Defensor was that nobody among those close to the family knew that she was sick--including Nonoy.
"Wala siyang kinwentuhan na may sakit siya. Walang nakakaalam kahit sino, pati si Noy (She never told anyone about her ailment. Nobody knew, even Noy)," he said.