Ex-Batangas vice governor Recto, 59

MANILA, Philippines — Former Batangas vice governor Ricky Recto has died, his brother, Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto said yesterday.

The former governor is the older brother of the former senator and now Batangas sixth district representative.

“With sadness, we share the news that our brother Ricky has passed away,” the lawmaker said. “Words are hard to come by to express the sorrow of losing him, but we take comfort in our fond memories of him to overcome the pain we feel.”

“We are touched by your kind words and prayers, but in the meantime, we ask for the time and space to grieve in private,” he added.

The congressman said details of a memorial being prepared for Ricky as a former national athlete and elected official would be announced later.

Found dead

A police report said Ricky was found dead at his residence in Pasig City on Monday at around 6 p.m.

Law enforcers and a representative from the Recto family went to Ricky’s house upon the request of his daughter because he had not communicated with them.

They forcibly opened Ricky’s room and found him on a La-Z-Boy with a pillow on his chest. He was reportedly holding a gun in his right hand.

It is unclear when the former governor died. Probers said his body was in an advanced stage of decomposition.

In July, Ricky was arrested by operatives of the Anti-Cybercrime Group for possession of firearms during a raid to search, seize and examine computer data.