CEBU CITY—Another known political figure in Cebu has passed away.
Former Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon, 75, died Thursday after a “long battle with cancer.”
“With heavy hearts, we are informing everyone that at the Lord’s hour of 3:00 pm, Congressman Benhur L. Salimbangon has concluded his 75 years of existence. After a long battle with cancer, he has passed peacefully with his family by his side,” said Salimbangon’s son Francis in a Facebook post.
“Up until his last breath, Cong. Benhur fought a good fight; but now, God has him back in his Kingdom as His warrior,” added Francis, a provincial board member.
Salimbangon died more than a month after the passing of Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar.
Former Cebu City South District Rep. Tony Cuenco also died due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) last June 27.
It was in 2007 when Salimbangon, a native of Medellin town in northern Cebu, Benhur, went up against Celestino Martinez III for the congressional seat in the province’s fourth district.
Martinez was declared winner in the 2007 elections but Salimbangon filed a protest. The protest reached the Supreme Court, which eventually ruled that Salimbangon was the rightful winner.
Salimbangon’s first term was not counted. He went on to win the same seat in 2010, 2013 and 2016.
After his term expired, Salimbangon’s wife Janice ran and won the fourth district congressional race in the 2019 elections.