Metro Manila, Philippines – Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua, a former district representative who became a prominent local government advocate, has died at 48.
The House of Representatives confirmed Cua’s death on Wednesday, Sept. 16, saying he passed away on Sept. 15. The Philippine flag at the Batasang Pambansa was flown at half-staff as the chamber mourned its former member.
His family has yet to publicly disclose the cause of death.
Speaker Bodjie Dy III described Cua as a dedicated public servant whose work extended beyond his home province through his leadership in local government organizations.
“His service extended far beyond Quirino,” Dy said, noting Cua’s role as president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.
Cua represented Quirino’s lone congressional district for three consecutive terms from 2010 to 2019 before returning to the provincial government.
During his time in the House, he chaired the committees on ecology and ways and means and was a principal author of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN law. He was also involved in legislation on rice tariffication, ease of doing business, and competition policy.
Cua’s political career began at 23, when he became the country’s youngest vice governor. He later served as Quirino governor from 2007 to 2010 and returned to the post in 2019.
At the time of his death, Cua was president of ULAP and national chairman of the League of Provinces of the Philippines.
He also served as president of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific, or UCLG ASPAC, representing local governments across the region. Cua was reelected to lead the organization for a second consecutive term covering 2025 to 2027 and was the first Filipino to hold the position.
“We remember Governor Dax for his years of dedicated public service and his commitment to the people of Quirino and to strengthening local governance in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region,” the House said.
Cua was married to sitting Quirino Rep. Midy Cua. His father, Junie Cua, also previously served as Quirino governor and congressman.
