DAVAO Oriental Governor Corazon "Cora" Nuñez-Malanyaon passed away on Wednesday afternoon, June 28, 2023. She was 73.
This was confirmed by Davao Oriental vice governor Niño Uy, in a Facebook live broadcast on Wednesday evening on the official page of the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental.
Uy said the family informed them about the governor’s death on Wednesday afternoon, around 3:50 p.m. The cause of death, however, was not specified.
“Niining labing lisod na panahon, atong hinumduman ang kamaayo ug gugma ni Governor Cora, bisag wala na siya kanato sa pisikal, ang iyang maayong ihemplo ug panerbisyo magpabilin sa atong kasingkasing hantod sa kahangturan... Gihangyo namo ang inyong pagsabot ug pagtahod sa pribasiya sa pamilya samtang ilang gisagubang kining maong pagsulay (In this trying times, let’s remember the life and love of Governo Cora. She may not be here with us physically, her exemplary works and service to the public will forever be in our hearts. We ask for everyone’s understanding and respect for the privacy of the family while they mourn for this great loss),” Uy said.
Since 2001, Malanyaon has served the province as the first district representative (2001 - 2007; 2016 -2022) and governor (2007 - 2016; 2022 - present). She started her political career when she was appointed as an OIC councilor of Davao City from 1986 to 1987. She was then duly elected as the number one Davao City Councilor from 1988 to 1992.
She is known for her strong political will, tourism initiatives, and numerous infrastructure projects that have helped Davao Oriental progress to what it is today.
The Certified Public Accountant-lawyer governor was born on August 22, 1949 and grew up in Cateel town before she pursued higher education at the Ateneo de Davao University as a public accountant and a lawyer.
Malanyaon is supposed to lead the 56th founding anniversary celebration of the province on July 1.
Friends and colleagues remembered the late governor as a compassionate leader that has a pure heart for public service.
Mati City Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat is one with the whole province mourning for the untimely death of the governor.
In a statement, Rabat shared that she is personally grieving as Malanyaon touched her life in many ways. She also considered herself lucky to have known and worked with a great leader.
“Gov. Cora came at a time when the province badly needed a unifying leader. She was motherly, caring, and above all, loving... You served the people well, Ma’am Cora til the last second of your life. And for that we will be forever grateful,” the mayor said.
In a Facebook post, Governor Generoso Vice Mayor Katrina Joy Orencia thanked the governor for her unparalleled service to the province.
"Rest in Peace Gov. Cora Nuñez Malanyaon... Salamat sa tanang serbisyo nimu sa Davao Oriental labi na sa Governor Generoso," she said.
Tourism consultant and close friend of Malanyaon, Cynthia Rodriguez, shared that the governor is an epitome of an effective leader and a loving friend.
“She is truly the person who does everything with a heart. She is the mother, sister, friend to her constituents in Davao Oriental...Whenever we sit together, just the two of us, you tell me of your dreams for Davao Oriental. In our conversations you start telling me how to weave into reality those dreams you have for the province...Maybe God wants you to already rest and be our guardian angel to guide the remaining of us here in making your dreams come true...Undeniably you've left unaccountable legacies to the people of Davao Oriental, imprints that will never be forgotten,” Rodriguez said.
Mandaya’s Sangab (CADT-01) tribal chieftain Bai Christine Banugan, for her part, expressed how grateful the whole Mandaya tribe was for the love and support Malanyaon gave to her community.
“Dili masukod yang kanmo gugma sang mga Mandaya ilabi na ngadto Sangab. Madaigay pa gawo mga plano mo para kanak, para sang Mandaya, para sang kanami banwa, pero wa da kaw hatagi ng taas na panahon para magserbisyo kanami. Padayon sang kanmo panaw Ma'am! Rest in Paradise our dearest Governor Corazon T. Nuñez-Malanyaon. You will forever be in my heart! Salamatay, salamatay, salamatay! (You have an immeasurable love for the tribe of Mandaya, especially to Sitio Sangab. You have bigger plans for me, the tribe, and the whole province but your life was cut short. Rest in paradise our dearest Governor Corazon T. Nuñez-Malanyaon. You will forever be in my heart! Thank you very much!),” she said in a Facebook post.
The family and the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental have yet to release details of her wake. It will be shared to the public once available. ASP