Senior citizens legislator dies at 71

Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Francisco Datol Jr. passed away on Monday, the House of Representatives confirmed. He was 71.

Details on his death have yet to be released.

Rep. Michael Romero of 1-PACMAN Party-list and President of the Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. mourned the loss of “a determined advocate for the poor and marginalized.”

“I express my sincere condolences to the family of Congressman Francisco Datol Jr. My sympathies also to the Senior Citizen Party-list whose officers and members have been the driving force behind Congressman Datol’s strong efforts to push legislation for the welfare of seniors all over our country,” he said in a statement.

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera honored the “champion of senior citizens.”

“Bilib din ako sa kahandaan niyang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan (I also admire his desire to help those in need),” she said.