MANILA - The Philippine flag at the Batasang Pambansa was flown at half-mast Monday as lawmakers mourn the passing of their colleague, Batanes Representative Henedina "Dina" Razon-Abad.

Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua said the death of a colleague is always a sad occasion that crosses political party lines for the members of the House of Representatives.

"This matter I think crosses party lines so we join the family, I personally join the family as they go through this very difficult moment," said Cua, a former Liberal Party member.

• Batanes representative passes away

Another former party-mate of Abad, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, also offered his condolences and sympathies to the family of the late Batanes representative.

"Cong. Dina was a batchmate of ours... We started in 15th Congress all the way to the 17th. She will be missed here in the House of Representatives. We already missed her during the time she was fighting her bout with cancer," he said.

• LP lawmakers mourn passing of 'fierce liberal' Abad

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he has already sent his condolences and flowers to the Abad family privately.

The office of Abad in Congress said the lawmaker will be laid to rest in Batanes. Her remains will be brought first to the Ateneo de Manila University College Chapel on October 11, before the family brings her home to Batanes on Friday.

There will be no necrological rites at the House of Representatives.

Abad was on her 3rd term as Congresswoman which began in the 15th Congress. Prior to that, she was also congresswoman from 2004 to 2007 in the 13th Congress, taking the place of her husband who was appointed to the Arroyo cabinet.--with reports from RG Cruz and Robert Mano, ABS-CBN News