Senior Citizens partylist Rep. Francisco “Jun” Datol Jr. passed away Monday. He was 71.
The news of Datol’s passing was confirmed by House of Representatives Secretary-General Jose Luis Montales.
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Cong. Jun Datol passed away a few hours ago,” Montales said in a statement.
Among the latest bills Datol authored is House Bill No. 6865, An Act Mandating the Conduct of Polymerase Chain Reaction COVID-19 Testing for the Vulnerable Members of Society to Stop the Transmission of the Disease.
Datol also authored bills that focused on the protection of the elderly, including HB 6997, an Act Protecting Senior Citizen From Violence, Defining Elder Abuse, And Prescribing Penalties Thereof, and HB 6148, an Act Granting Additional Benefits And Privileges to Senior Citizens With Disabilities.
Datol also served as chairman of the House Committee on Senior Citizens and a ranking member of the Partylist Coalition.
House Deputy Speaker and 1Pacman partylist Rep. Michael Romero mourned Datol's death.
“It is with deep sadness and pain on losing such a great friend in Cong. Jun Datol. His jolly and lovable character will forever be missed amongst us,” said Romero.
Romero added: “The whole Partylist Coalition block won’t be the same without him.”
Details of his death and funeral plans have yet to be announced by the family.
He was the fourth House member to die while in office. The others were Reps. Rodolfo Albano (LPGMA), Nestor Fongwan (Benguet), and Marissa Andaya (Camarines Sur).
Datol was serving his second term as first nominee of the Senior Citizens Coalition when he died.
Datol was officially sworn in as member of the 18th Congress only last December 2019 after the Commission on Elections resolved the three-way election disputed that involved two other former Senior Citizens Reps. Godofredo Arquiza and Milagros Magsaysay.
The Comelec may again be asked to resolve who among the listed nominees of Datol’s partylist will replace him.
The 2019 Comelec records indicated that Rodolfo Ordanes and Reynaldo Acop were the second and third nominees of the Senior Citizens partylist organization.
However, a certain Aurora Garcia Mojica was also allegedly chosen recently as the second nominee.
House Majority Leader Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Tingog Sinirangan partylist Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez extended Monday their sympathies to the family of Datol whom they described as a "dedicated public servant” and a dynamic senior member of the House.
“Cong. Jun was a beloved and exemplary leader and a man of vision, action, and compassion who championed the care for elderly. His tireless work and advocacies have assisted our aging population through community-based health, rehabilitation, educational, and socio-economic programs for the senior citizens,” they said.
The Romualdez couple cited that Datol was behind the “effective” implementation of various programs and initiatives that benefit country’s senior citizens.
“Thank you Cong. Datol for your 'malasakit' (compassion) to senior citizens. You’ve been very instrumental on the effective implementation of various programs and services, especially on the development of senior citizens and advancing their health and well-being,” they said.
“We extend our condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family of our colleague, Cong. Jun Datol. Your memory will forever remain in our hearts and minds.”