Ex-Iloilo governor dies

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Former Iloilo governor Niel Tupas Sr. died yesterday at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. He was supposed to turn 83 years old on Friday.

Tupas’ son, Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., confirmed the news through his Facebook account.

The lawmaker said his father had been battling prostate cancer.

Before being brought to the Philippine Heart Center in October, the former governor was confined for three weeks at Saint Paul’s Hospital in Iloilo.

His remains will be brought to Iloilo on Friday.

Meanwhile, Malacañang condoled with the family of Tupas, an ally of President Aquino in the Liberal Party.

“His record of public service is distinctive as governor, representative and mayor in Iloilo,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

 “His loss is mourned by his townmates and the Filipino people who value his dedication as a public servant,” he said.– Jennifer Rendon, Delon Porcalla