Isabela's Bishop Purugganan, 79

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Bishop emeritus Miguel Purugganan of the diocese of Ilagan died due to cardiac arrest last July 8 at the Saint Paul Hospital in Tuguegarao City. He was 79.

Purugganan, a permanent council member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, served as bishop of Ilagan (Isabela) for 25 years from 1974 to 1999.

His remains lie in state at the St. Ferdinand Cathedral in Gamu, also in Isabela. – Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig