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Batanes Rep. Dina Abad passes away
Condolences streamed in after Batanes Representative Henedina “Dina” Abad passed away on Sunday night.
Vice President Leni Robredo, chairperson of the Liberal Party (LP), confirmed Abad’s passing on a Facebook post.
“This was just in January. Now, she’s gone. You will be terribly missed, Congresswoman Dina Abad. The nation lost another treasure,” Robredo wrote, along with a photo of her and the representative.
The wife of former Batanes Congressman and Department of Budget and Management secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad succumbed to cancer at the age of 62.
Abad was born on January 26, 1955. She graduated cum laude at Maryknoll College (now Miriam College) with an Economics degree, and obtained her Masters in Public Administration at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Before she became a lawmaker, Abad was the founding dean of the Ateneo School of Government. She also worked for various non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil groups in the country.
An LP member, Abad served as a representative of the lone district of Batanes from 2004 to 2007 and from 2010 to present.
The representative served as deputy speaker in the 16th Congress and chairperson of the House Committee on Energy. In the 17th Congress, Abad headed the House Committee on Government Reorganization but lost her post as she was one of the lawmakers who voted against the controversial death penalty bill.
Abad was among the solons who pushed for the passage of the Reproductive Health Act. The representative also became vice chair of the House Committee on Rural Development.
Aside from Robredo, several of her colleagues also took to social media to pay tribute and express their condolences for the Abad family.
Our deepest condolences to the family of Rep Dina Abad. She fought every battle like it was her last – with ferocity and integrity. #padayon
— Miro Quimbo (@miroquimbo) October 8, 2017
RiP Cong Dina Abad. A respected former colleague in the House. Our prayers go out to Sec Butch, Sec Julia and their family 🙏🏼
— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) October 8, 2017
RIP Cong/Ninang Dina Abad 🙏Indeed to live is Christ & to die is gain. Prayers for Sec/Ninong Butch, Sec Julia & the entire family. God bless
— Joel Villanueva (@senatorjoelv) October 8, 2017
I just learned that a wonderful colleague and progressive law maker passed away. Ill miss my Nanay in Congress. RiP Dina Abad.
— Teddy B. Baguilat (@TeddyBaguilatJr) October 8, 2017
Rep Dina Abad was a member of the “parliament of the streets”. Her principles & integrity were developed by her love for the basic sectors
— Erin Tañada (@erintanada) October 8, 2017
Dina and I entered the House together trying to advance progressive legislation without illusions. We are LP and stood together for HR
— Erin Tañada (@erintanada) October 8, 2017
Sometimes the best leaders among us pass away as simply as they lived. We love you,Cong.Dina Abad. We will struggle on.
— Mon Jimenez (@Jimenez_Mon) October 8, 2017
The air is still, the skies are dark, and the flag is at half-mast at the House. Paalam, Rep. Dina Abad. Mananatili kang inspirasyon sa amin pic.twitter.com/RqjtKYjcAo
— Jeff Crisostomo (@jeffcrisostomo) October 9, 2017
Rep. Dina Abad guided me like an elder sister during my previous terms in Congress.With respect & high esteem I remember her on her passing.
— Ruffy Biazon (@ruffybiazon) October 9, 2017
In a statement, LP secretary general and Quezon City Representative Jose Christopher “Kit” Belmonte said that LP will sponsor a mass at 8 p.m on Monday at the Ateneo De Manila’s chapel in Quezon City. After the mass, LP leaders are expected to deliver eulogies for the lawmaker.
