ANTIPOLO CONGRESSMAN ACOP DIES AFTER HEART ATTACK

ANTIPOLO City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop on Saturday died of a heart attack at the age of 78.

A report from the Rizal police said Acop was found lying on the floor by his youngest child Karla Marie Acop and his security aide Pat Frank Louie Pastrana at around 10:12 p.m. on  Saturday.

The lawmaker was rushed to the Assumption Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 10:56 p.m. of the same day.

“Our hearts are broken. He was a friend for more than 25 years and a devoted, courageous, honest public servant,” said Deputy Speaker and Antipolo 1st district Rep. Ronaldo Puno.

Puno, chairman of the National Unity Party, was a close of friend of Acop.

The Deputy Speaker said  Acop had a successful kidney transplant in late November and had been “recovering well and was up and about.” 

 “We were excited for his imminent return to us.”  Acop said.

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said the House of Representatives is mourning the passing of an “honest, brave, and principled public servant.”

Dy said Acop was a model public servant who made clear in each task that he stood for the rule of law and the people’s welfare.

The House leader said Acop’s passing was a great loss to Congress, Antipolo City, and the Filipino people.

Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, who was among the first lawmakers to pay tribute, described Acop as a principled leader and tireless public servant whose work strengthened congressional oversight.

Romualdez said Acop, a lawyer and a former general, was firm but fair. He asked the hard questions but always within the bounds of decency and institutional respect.