MANILA - Former Maguindanao second district representative Simeon Datumanong passed away Tuesday.

According to Anwar Emblawa, nephew of the lawmaker, he passed away at 9:42 PM at age 81.

The solon was confined in the Philippine Heart Center in Manila after suffering a stroke last week.

Apart from stroke, there were also complications caused by diabetes and his kidney problems, according to Emblawa.

Datumanong was a government official for more than half a century before his death.

He had served as governor of the Empire Cotabato Province and was chairman of the "Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng pook," which was later replaced by the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

He had also been appointed as the minister of the Office of Muslim Affairs.

He also served as Secretary of Justice and of Public Works and Highways during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Prior to his passing, Datumanong was charged with graft cases in relation to the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

• READ: Ex-Maguindanao Rep Datumanong faces graft rap over 'pork'

Datumanong supposedly allocated P3.8 million of his pork barrel to finance livelihood projects in Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sanki, and Mamasapano towns in Maguindanao.

His remains will be brought to his hometown in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao where he will be laid to rest.

-with reports from Jasper Acosta, ABS-CBN News