Camarines Sur First District Representative Marissa Andaya passed away due to cancer on Sunday, according to her husband, former congressman Rolando Andaya Jr.

“The love of my life has passed on into eternal life,” he said in a statement. “Her people lost their leader, our children their caring mother, and I, my best friend.”

Rolando called the Congresswoman a “cancer warrior” who fought the disease for seven years.

“Although immunocompromised, she chose to be with [her constituents] from Day One of the lockdown, daily doing the rounds of her district, helping the sick, the stranded, and those who have lost jobs and livelihood,” Rolando said.

Rolando said  that they learned that her cancer had returned last month during her scheduled medical check-up.

“Tonight, surrounded by her loved ones , her beautiful heart gave up,” Andaya’s husband said. “I am blessed to have spent half of my life—twenty-five happy years—with this wonderful woman with a generous spirit and compassionate heart who was devoted to her family, her faith, her oath, and her fellow men.” /Stacy Ang