JUST barely two days after Malaybalay City mayor Florencio ‘Doc Boy’ Flores, Jr. died from complications, Cagayan de Oro lost one of its valuable city legislators to a lingering illness.
Cagayan de Oro city councilor Teodolfo ‘Bong’ Lao of the 2nd district yielded to a long-time battle with kidney problems last night. He was 61 years old.
Mayor Flores, who succumbed to complications resulting from a Covid-19 infection was 72 when he took his last breath at the Polymedic Plaza in Cagayan de Oro on Thursday afternoon.
Both public servants were well-loved by their constituents with mayor Flores attributed for changing the landscape of the breezy Malaybalay town in terms of positive development, and councilor Lao as a passionate and hard-working barangay chairman of Lapasan who rose to become an important piece in the august body of Cagayan de Oro.
“I am truly saddened and can’t believe with the passing away of my cousin, City Councilor Bong Lao but his wife Dondie Doong Lao confirmed it,” wrote first district councilor Candy Dela Rosa Darimbang on her Facebook wall.
“He was my colleague during the 17th Council and I could recall how he was so passionate and dedicated with our tasks and duties as legislators. A refined man with integrity. Farewell Councilor Bong. We will surely miss you. Rest In Peace now,” added Darimbang.
The late councilor Lao was a staunch critic of absenteeism at the City Council that he once lambasted former mayor Constantino Jaraula for allegedly tolerating such an act when fellow mayor-turned vice mayor Vicente Emano was still alive.
“To him, membership at the City Council is an opportunity to serve and not to be wasted. A great leader who is well-loved by Lapasanons and Kagay-anons,” shared councilor Ian Mark Nacaya.
Lao’s remains now lie in state at Greenhills Funeral Home.
