NEGROS Occidental Fifth District Board Member Renato Malabor Jr. Wednesday, April 19, said he is looking forward to reconciling with the Montilla family.
In Wednesday’s session, Malabor authored a resolution condoling with the bereaved family of the late Isabela Mayor Enrique Montilla III, who died of pneumonia leading to cardiac arrest on April 13.
In the resolution, the board member said the mayor had served and helped many people in his town and district.
He said that Montilla’s selfless service to the people especially to the plight of the less privileged, and his dedication and tireless effort towards development have inspired many Negrenses.
The rift among the Malabors and the Montillas was evident after the late mayor was linked to the killing of Malabor’s father, the late Fifth District board member Renator Malabor, in June 2015.
Montilla had denied the allegation, and more than 200 village officials signed a manifesto of support for the mayor. Several suspects, including a policeman, were charged for the crime.
Hoping for unity
Malabor said he sponsored the resolution not only because the mayor’s family is mourning, but also the town residents, as he recalled the outpouring support of the people when his father also passed away.
His father, a former Isabela mayor, was gunned outside the town’s cockpit. Their family is still calling for justice almost two years after his death.
Like his father, Montilla also had aspirations for the town, Malabor said.
By the rule of succession, the board member’s uncle, Vice Mayor Joselito Malabor, his father’s younger brother, succeeded Montilla.
The younger Malabor assured the constituents of Isabela that his uncle, the new mayor, will continue the programs of Montilla.
He said he is hoping that everybody will move on and unite.
Both Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also asked the Montilla and Malabor families to reconcile for the people of Isabela.