July 1st, 2022
I grieve the loss of my friend and longtime colleague, Rolando “Nonoy” Andaya Jr., and condole with his bereaved children. We were colleagues both in Congress and in the PGMA cabinet. His father, Rolando Sr., was a mentor to me, who provided me with opportunities for success that very few senior members are willing to give freshmen congressmen. Nonoy, his son, would later follow in the footsteps of his father as Appropriations Chair, as I also did follow this mentor. In this sense, Nonoy was my brother, for we shared a common mentor, his father, in the House. I am especially saddened by how heavily the loss of his beloved Marissa, my colleague, must have weighed on Nonoy. Nonoy Andaya will be remembered for the vigor with which he infused discussions on the national budget, arguably the House’s most important national function. I condole with his beloved family, his district, and the people of Camarines Sur, whom he wished above all to serve.