Speaker Feliciano Belmonte yesterday said that the House of Representatives will ensure that the needs of the constituents of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo in the 5th district of Negros Occidental will be addressed despite his passing.

Article 6 Section 9 of the Philippine Constitution states that in case there is a vacancy in the Senate of House of Representatives, a special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner prescribed by law, Negros Occidental Provincial Elections Supervisor Jessie Suarez said.

However, there does not appear to be enough time to do so with the May 2013 polls fast approaching, he said.

It will be up to the House leadership to decide whether to call for the special elections or appoint a caretaker to manage the operations of the congressional post of Arroyo, he said.

The management of a vacated congressional post can be done by a congressman from a neighboring district or a partylist representative from the same province, Suarez said.

Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) said if called upon by the leadership of the House she is willing to serve as caretaker of the 5th District.

“Nevertheless, I will still check on the pending bills of Cong Iggy in Congress and will facilitate their passage since he was very supportive of my own bills,” Alvarez said.

Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg Occ., 4th District) said that although it would be additional work on his part, he will do what is mandated.

Board Member Melvin Ibanez, KAMPI chairman in Negros, said he was told that no special election can be held 18 months before an upcoming regular election.

Ibanez, like many officials in Negros, said he was saddened by the death of a close friend and political mentor.

IGGY’S RETURN

Rep. Arroyo, 61, who was earlier declared clinically dead at the London Clinic after suffering a heart attack, died late Thursday after his life support was removed, his sister, former Kasangga Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, confirmed.

She, however, said she did not know the details of how the decision was made to remove the life support as she was not there.

It may take awhile before the congressman’s remains can be brought home as the coroner’s office will have to conduct an autopsy, which is required in London, she said.

The plan is for the congressman to be buried at the family mausoleum beside their mother, Lourdes Tuason Arroyo, at the North Cemetery in Manila, she said.

However, his remains may be brought to Negros for a brief wake in the fifth district where he was well loved, his sister added.

“We are all very sad, Iggy was our youngest,” she said. Their oldest is former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

Romulo Makalintal, former lawyer of Mike Arroyo, yesterday also said the remains of the congressman will be brought to the House of Representatives and to Negros Occidental before the burial in Metro Manila, the date and venue of which will be announced later.

LEGAL WIFE

Alicia Morales-Arroyo, former chairperson of the Philippine Stock Exchange, told ABS-CBN her marriage to the congressman had not been annulled, and she remained the legal wife of the congressman.

She said she was going to London with her laywer, Lorna Kapunan, to claim the remains of the congressman that she would bring to their home in La Vista, and that his companion, Grace Ibuna who was with him when he died, would not be invited to his funeral.

Alicia said that even if she and the congressman had been separated she still wore her wedding ring.

Arroyo is survived by his daughters, Bianca and Dina, from his first marriage; and Alelu from his second marriage to Alicia Morales-Arroyo, from whom he separated in 2006.

MAYORS CONDOLE

The Association of Chief Executives and League of Municipalities in the Philippines in Negros Occidental mourn the sudden demise of Arroyo, EB Magalona Mayor David Lacson, president of both groups, said yesterday.

“He was a humble guy yet a real performer when it came to public service,” Lacson said, adding that he still could not believe that he had passed away as it came as a surprise.

“He (Arroyo) was a good man…a real statesman who showed simplicity all throughout his leadership in the 5th District,” the mayor said.

Lacson urged all Negrenses to offer prayers for the family of Arroyo and for the eternal repose of his soul.

BELMONTE

Belmonte, in a statement issued by the House, said The House of Representatives is saddened by the demise of Arroyo.

“During his tenure in Congress, Representative Arroyo advocated for the empowerment of the youth, the welfare of children, and for environmental protection and preservation,” Belmonte said.

“We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Representative Arroyo in this time of grief,” he added.*CPG

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