MAYOR Enrique Montilla III of Isabela, Negros Occidental, died of pneumonia leading to cardiac arrest Thursday afternoon, April 13, after he was confined at Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital in Bacolod City.
The 57-year-old mayor’s death was confirmed by his younger brother, Councilor Patrick Miguel Montilla.
He is survived by his wife Irene, and children Alberto, Juan Miguel, and Enrique.
Montilla’s remains lie in state at the Rolling Hills Memorial Chapels in Bacolod.
The Montilla family, through the mayor’s wife and brother, will give an official statement in a press briefing Sunday afternoon.
Montilla was reelected for a second term during the May 2016 elections.
Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the death of Montilla is a personal loss for him.
“He was not only a colleague in public service but a friend who watched my back during our elementary school days,” he added.
Lacson said that despite Montilla’s failing health, continued to serve his constituents and helped many people in Isabela.
Vice Mayor Joselito Malabor will take over Montilla’s post, based on the rule of succession of the Local Government Code.
Montilla was the third municipal mayor in Negros Occidental who passed away due to an illness after securing fresh mandates in last year’s polls.
In October last year, Cauayan Mayor Jerry Tabujara succumbed to a liver ailment at Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Manila.
San Enrique Mayor Mario Magno died of multiple organ failure days after he was proclaimed in May 2016.