Former Cebu PB member Arleigh Sitoy dead at 58

CEBU, Philippines - Former Cebu Provincial Board member Arleigh Jay Sitoy has succumbed to cardiac arrest at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City at 1:44 p.m. yesterday. He was 58.

His father, former Cordova town mayor Secretary Adelino Sitoy, said Arleigh was in a coma Sunday and suffered a severe heart attack yesterday at the hospital.

Arleigh had been staying in Manila serving as senior consultant to his father, Secretary Sitoy, after the latter was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs and head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office in Malacañang on September 1, 2016.

"He has been in and out of the hospital for three weeks because of his kidney trouble. But he died of heart attack. He was supposed to be scheduled for kidney transplant," Secretary Sitoy told Capitol reporters in a phone interview.

Secretary Sitoy said Arleigh's remains would be brought to Cebu this morning and will have a wake at the Crystal Palace in Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City for two to three days before he will be brought to his hometown in Cordova.

Arleigh had served as municipal mayor of Cordova for three terms (1998 to 2007) before he was elected as PB member representing Cebu's sixth district in 2010 to 2016.

Secretary Sitoy said his son would have wanted to live longer.

"Before siya na coma ana siya di siya ganahan pa kuhaon sa Ginoo kay he is helping me sa akong trabaho sa Malacanang,"he said.

A joint resolution authored by sixth district PB members Thadeo Jovito Quano and Glenn Bercede was passed en masse yesterday extending their deepest sympathies and condolences to the Sitoy family.

Arleigh served as a board member for two terms from 2010 to 2016. He also served as mayor of Cordova for three terms from 1998 to 2007 before he was elected to the PB.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale was saddened by the sudden passing of Arleigh, whom she described as "complicated but jolly person."

"The zest for life was there. He never lost his sense of humor even if he is angry or…in pain," she said.

"It's just very unfortunate dili na madala sa iyang lawas. Para nako mayo nalang sab nipahulay na siya kay nakita nako ang iyang struggles" she added.

Magplae was referring to the instances when Arleigh had to attend PB sessions on a wheelchair.

She said Arleigh was one of the hardworking members of the PB during his two-term stint representing the sixth district, saying the former Cordova mayor excelled in everything he did even with his infirmity.

"He did not even hesitate to accept the committee on complaints and investigations even if it is a very demanding committee. We will miss him," she said.

Arleigh also headed the committees on differently-abled persons (2010-2016) and the arts and culture (2010-2013); and served as acting majority floor leader and acting minority floor leader.

In a statement, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III also expressed his condolences to the Sitoy family.

"The Province of Cebu joins me in extending deepest sympathy and condolence to the family and loved ones of former Provincial Board member Arleigh Jay Sitoy. His passing will be particularly felt by our fellow Sugboanons, for whom he worked so hard," the governor said.

"As then representative of Cebu's 6th Congressional District of the Sannguniang Panlalawigan, the memory of his brilliant and dynamic leadership will remain a source of inspiration to all of us. Our thoughts are with his family and we pray God may give them the same strength and courage that earned the former public servant of Cebu the esteem of his fellowmen. May his soul rest in peace," he added

The PB said it would request the Sitoy family to bring Arleigh's remains at the Capitol for a necrological service, which Secretary Sitoy has agreed to.

Arleigh's work experiences also included being a reporter of The FREEMAN, as legal assistant at the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, special assistant at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office of the Secretary; special assistant for air transportation of the Department of Transportation and Communication Office of the Secretary; staff of former senator John Henry Osmeña; executive assistant at the office of the late senator Letecia Ramos-Shahani; Cebu City Mayor's Office consultant; professor; radio commentator; among others.

He was also the national president of the Lubas sa Dagang Bisaya, president of the Cebu Jaycees, president of the Cordova Pastoral Council, vice president of the League of Municipal Mayors-Cebu Province.

Arleigh received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree from the University of San Carlos. His post-graduate studies include Masters in Journalism  a the University of the Philippines System (1981); Bachelor of Laws  at the Ateneo de Manila/University of San Carlos (1985); Masters in Public Administration, UP System (1995); Masters in Management, UP System (2005); Masters in Business Economic, University of Asian and Pacific (2005); Project Management, Center for International Education/Cambridge University (2005); and, candidate for Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, University of San Carlos (2009). (FREEMAN)