By Vanne Elaine Terrazola Bocaue, Bulacan Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna continued to serve her constituents despite her adverse health condition, her brother, Senator Joel Villanueva, said on Friday. Bocaue, Bulacan Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna
(Bocaue City PIO / MANILA BULLETIN) Sen. Joel paid tribute to his sister Joni, who died due to "sepsis secondary to bacterial pneumonia" on Thursday, May 28, according to the Jesus is Lord Church founded by their father, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, currently a member of the House of Representatives. In a message to reporters, the senator said Mayor Joni was diagnosed with vasculitis, or the inflammation of blood vessels, last January, which compromised her immune system. "Unfortunately, during lockdown, she she needed to go out and personally check everything. Infection crept in and caused her life. She literally died because of her passion to serve her people, without fanfare," Sen. Joel said. Mayor Joni made headlines last month after buying tons of produce from Cordillera farmers whose profits were affected by the quarantine enforced against the COVID-19. The farm produce were then distributed as relief to her constituents. Sen. Joel, whose mother, Dory, passed away last March, mourned the loss of his sister. "She's closest to me among my siblings, she would visit the Senate and would always be in awe how we can serve our country and people," he shared. "This is worst than the worst feeling. She left four kids, three-year-old youngest who asked me last night, 'What happened to mommy?' I never thought na posible pa lang kidlatan ng dalawang beses ang isang puso (that it's possible to have one heart broken twice)," he added. His colleagues in Senate also shared his grief. "Sa aking seatmate, @senatorjoelv aming taos pusong pakikiramay lalo na sa iyong ama na si @Bro_Eddie at sa inyong buong pamilya. I know how you cherished her and looked up to her and we pray that God grant you peace during this trying time," Sen. Nancy Binay tweeted. "A true public servant, Mayor Joni continued to serve even while suffering from an underlying condition," she added. "My deepest condolences to the family of Bocaue, Bulacan Mayor Eleanor 'Joni' Villanueva. To my fellow Seatmate, Senator Joel Villanueva, I offer my prayers on this sad day," Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also said. Former senator JV Ejercito also expressed sympathies for Mayor Joni's loved ones. “I am shocked and out of words upon learning of the passing of Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva. A very nice person. Sending my deepest sympathies to Bro. Eddie and my Brod @senatorjoelv," he also tweeted. Bocaue residents, as well as non-residents, grieved the mayor's death. "Words not enough to what you've done to bocaue and to all of us Bocaueños. Ang ginawa mo ay pagmamahal at pagaaruga ng isang inang nagmamahal sa kanyang mga anak. Sana'y maging inspirasyon ka ng ibang pulitiko na magiging lingkod-bayan ng Bocaue. Wala kang katulad Mayor Joni," a resident commented on Mayor Joni's Facebook page. Read more: Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva passes away