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Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. (left) presents the SP resolution of condolences to the family of the late Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. to former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and his sister, Ma. Lourdes Lesaca, as Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., Himamaylan City Vice Mayor Carmenia Bascon, Board Members Miller Serondo, Melvin Ibanez and Nehemias dela Cruz (l-r) look on.*

Negros Oriental

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Dumaguete dads, residents protest mandatory helmet implementation
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Man arrested for indiscriminate firing
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Star Business

Peso up vs. US dollar; But stock rates down
Dutch group underscores support for TFM
3 job fairs scheduled
Labor, mgm’t month marked

Sports

2,096 medals up for grabs in WVRAA

888 Chinatown books semis seat, Sta. Fe sweeps elimination round

‘Thank you for loving Iggy’
MIKE ARROYO SAYS
BY CARLA GOMEZ

HINIGARAN, Neg. Occ. – They may be grieving, but the love and support of the people of the fifth district of Negros Occidental for the late Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo lessened it, former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo said yesterday.

“We are overwhelmed and very happy that the people here love him very much because he had so many projects in the fifth district,” said Arroyo, citing the torch parade that greeted them when the remains of his younger brother, Iggy, arrived in Hinigaran Monday night.

“He (Iggy) loved the people here, and they loved him very much, and I thank all the people here in the fifth district,” he added on the last night of the wake of his brother in Negros.

Decision on special
polls out next week
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg., Occ., 3rd District) yesterday said the decision on whether a special election for a new congressman of the fifth district of Negros Occidental will be held will be out next week.

“Next week we will know for sure,” Benitez told the DAILY STAR.

The fifth congressional seat became vacant after the death of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. in London on January 26 after a long battle with cirrhosis of the liver.

Hug stirs controversy
BY CARLA GOMEZ & GILBERT BAYORAN

HINIGARAN, Negros Occidental -- The hug the late Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo’s partner Grace Ibuna gave Alelu Arroyo, 14, the daughter of the congressman’s second wife Aleli Arroyo, at his wake at the St. Mary Magdalene Church here yesterday afternoon stirred a buzz among those present.

At about 4 p.m. during the public viewing of the remains of the congressman, Ibuna and Dina Arroyo Tantoco were standing by the coffin when Alelu approached to get a glimpse of her father.

Ibuna suddenly hugged Alelu tightly, catching the attention of the people in the church, as shown on national television.