MANILA – Malacañang remembered former House Speaker Arnulfo “Noli” Fuentebella as having “served the country and the province of Camarines Sur well.”
Fuentebella died of heart failure after battling kidney disease for almost two years. He was 74.
“The time and effort he gave to improve the condition of his beloved district will always be remembered by his constituents,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
Roque said the Palace offered deep condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones left behind by the former House Speaker.
“As we pay tribute to the life and legacy of the former Speaker, we pray that his family would find strength in this time of mourning,” he said.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar also remembered Fuentella for his hard work.
“His commitment and dedication to his work as one of the representatives of the province of Camarines Sur will be remembered by the constituents in his district, as he has done much to serve them and also to help the growth and development of his district during his tenure,” he said.
Fuentebella’s passing was announced by his son Camarines Sur 4th District Rep. Arnie Fuentebella.
“With deep sorrow, we would like to inform our family and friends that Former Speaker Arnulfo “Noli” P. Fuentebella has passed away this morning, September 9, 2020. He succumbed to Heart Failure after battling kidney disease for almost two years,” the younger Fuentebella said.
“Your prayers for his final journey back Home will be fondly appreciated,” he added.
Fuentebella served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2000 to 2001.
He was elected into the speakership post following the ouster of then Las Piñas Rep. Manuel Villar.
After only over two months in office, he was replaced by then Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte following the second EDSA revolution that ousted then-President Joseph Estrada and installed vice president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as his successor.
Fuentebella also represented the third district of Camarines Sur from 1992 to 2001 and from 2004 to 2010. He eventually ran in the fourth district of the same province from 2010 to 2013 and from 2016 to 2019.