As the House of Representatives mourned the death of Sorsogon Rep.Ma. Bernardita “Ditas” B. Ramos, the chamber on Friday reported its 71st COVID 19 case in a consultant from the office of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
The latest COVID 19 positive patient in the Lower House reported for work on August 24 and 25.
“He got tested after experiencing itchy throat, body malaise, nasal congestion with colds and loss of smell and taste,” the Office of the Secretary General announced Friday.
On Wednesday, Deputy Speaker and Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero rose to the floor to deliver a privilege speech honoring the memory of Ramos, who succumbed to complications from COVID 19 last September 7.
“We will miss her humble presence here in the plenary and also in Sorsogon,” Escudero said as she thanked Director Gloria Balboa of the Department of Health and others who responded to Ramos’ medical emergency.
Pangasinan Rep. Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas recalled that the last time the group of women legislators met was a few weeks ago when Escudero invited them to visit the miraculous Sto. Nino de la Providencia in Las Pinas to pray for Ramos' recovery from cancer.
“She was about to beat cancer. Unfortunately, she could not overcome this cruel virus,” said the teary-eyed Arenas.
She said: “Tita Ditas was loved and revered. Her memories live on in our hearts forever.”
Ramos was the second House member to succumb to COVID-19 complications. In early August, Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Francisco Datol Jr. died after testing positive for COVID-19.
Seven other House members have been infected with the coronavirus. They were Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur) and Mujiv Hataman (Basilan) and Reps. Samier Tan (Sulu) , Henry Villarica (Bulacan), Paul Daza (Northern Samar), Luis “Jon Jon" Ferrer IV (Cavite); and Eric Pineda (1Pacman), chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment.
Ramos, sister of former Sorsogon Rep. Deogracias Ramos, is a first term House member. She won last year’s election against former Governor Robert R. Lee.
The lady solon was a member of the House Committees on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources; Health, Human Rights, Public Works and Highways, and Tourism.
Ramos filed 29 bills, mostly of local applications. Among the legislative proposals she filed, seven became laws while 15 were approved on third and final reading by the Lower Chamber.