Communications Secretary Martin Andanar lamented the deaths of brothers Barili Mayor Marlon Garcia and former Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia who passed away on the same week.
Andanar issued the statement after it was confirmed that the two local chief executives of the province in Cebu died a few days apart.
In a statement, Andanar extended his condolences to Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia over the passing of her brothers.
"We extend our deepest condolences to Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and the rest of their family and their loved ones for the passing of former Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia and Barili Mayor Marlon Garcia," he said Sunday.
"We pray for the eternal repose of their souls and that their families find strength in this time of grief," he added.
Throughout the years as former chief executives of their respective local government units, Andanar said the two Garcia brothers were "instrumental towards the development" of their localities and constituents.
Barili Mayor Marlon Garcia's death was confirmed by his brother Winston in a Facebook post on Sunday.
Marlon's death came more than a month after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia confirmed in a speech that her brother tested positive for COVID-19.
The younger Garcia was elected mayor for the second class municipality in 2016, and was reelected in 2019.
Marlon was the second Garcia brother to die in the same week, the first being Dumanjug Mayor Nelson on September 1.
The cause of the death of the two members of the powerful Garcia clan was not disclosed.