THE House of Representatives on Friday extended its condolences to the family of Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. over the death of his wife following the attack on Resorts World Manila.
House Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, quoting National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa, confirmed that the wife of Deputy Speaker Gonzales, Elizabeth Panlilio-Gonzales, was among the 37 people who died during the attack early Friday morning.
“Sir, positive wife of Rep. Dong Gonzales of Pampanga is Elizabeth Panlilio Gonzales”•died in the incident. We are still looking for her sister, Consolacion P. Mijares. No report yet,” said Dela Rosa’s text message sent by Fariñas to House reporters.
Reports said the remains of Elizabeth Panlilio-Gonzales were recovered, along with the other bodies, when police and firefighters arrived following the attack of the resort-hotel by a still unidentified gunman.
Mrs. Gonzales was reportedly with her sister Consolacion P. Mijares who was reported still missing.
Rep. Gonzales was among the 60 congressmen who joined the Central and Northern Luzon inspection trip being undertaken by the House leadership led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez when news about the attack was relayed to them.
Rep. Gonzales immediately left the group at the Baluarte in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, to take a helicopter ride to Manila.