CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Friends and relatives of Elizabeth Panlilio- Gonzales, wife of Third District Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. expressed their grief on social networking site Facebook as they posted kind words over the former's untimely passing.
Elizabeth, 57, is among the 37 people, who died in the attack at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on Friday, June 2.
Friends of Elizabeth posted messages of grief and condolences on Elizabeth's page as well as on the Facebook account of her husband.
Malou Garbes, a member of non-government organizations in the city, said the couple have been active with Rotary Club of Dolores before Representative Gonzales' entry to politics.
Representative Gonzales's former staff Rio Villafania expressed shock stating "I cannot believe you are no longer with us… I have to believe that God has bigger plans for you. May your heart and soul find peace and comfort in our Lord. Mam Beth Panlilio Gonzales, you will always remain in our hearts. Thank you for the privilege of working with you."
Staff and former employees of the Gonzales family described Elizabeth as a soft spoken and kind person who always stood behind her husband's political career.
In a statement, Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas expressed his deep condolences to the bereaved families of the victims, including the Pampanga lawmaker’s wife.
"My condolences to my colleague Congressman Gonzales for his loss. I join him in prayers for the eternal rest of his wife’s soul," Vargas said.
Representative Gonzales was with Majority Leader Rudolfo Fariñas and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on a six-day inspection of infrastructure projects in Northern Luzon when he got news of the tragedy.
The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (Pamcham) also conveyed its deep condolences and sympathies to Congressman Gonzales Jr. as well as to the victims of Resorts World tragedy.
“We genuinely feel his personal grief and irreplaceable loss as our hearts and prayers go out to him and his family at this time of great, personal trial,” Pamcham said.
“We would like also to express our collective sympathies to the families and loved ones of the other casualties in the Resorts World Manila incident for the immeasurable pain and loss that they face and endure,” Pamcham said.
Elizabeth's remains, meanwhile, are at Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City.
Gonzales and wife Elizabeth both hail from Mexico town, Pampanga.