Former Negros Occidental governor and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Montelibano Jr., 74, succumbed to cardio pulmonary arrest at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City at about 10 last night.

His family confirmed his death.

Montelibano was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, but was no longer breathing by the time he got there, his cousin, Silay Mayor Jose Montelibano, said.

He was to turn 75 on Jan. 7.

Montelibano had been suffering from gastric cancer that hits the stomach, his wife, Jhay, who was by his side, said.

The flags in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental are expected to fly at half-mast to honor Montelibano for his long and distinguished career as a leader of both the province and city.

Montelibano had served as governor of Negros Occidental from Jan. 2, 1968 up to April 12, 1986, and as mayor of Bacolod City from 1988 to 1995.

He also served as vice president of the Governors League of the Philippines , president of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters, and was a key organizer of the Sugar Industry Foundation Inc., his close friend and co-worker, Roque Hofileña, executive director of the Negros Occidental Historical Council, said.

The late mayor and governor was the son of Negros World War II revolutionary government leader Alfredo Montelibano Sr., the first mayor of Bacolod City and Secretary of National Defense and Interior, and Corazon Locsin Montelibano.

“We join the people of Bacolod in morning the demise of a distinguished leader of the province and city, who has made his mark in public service and has lived up to the expectations and tradition of his family name,” Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said.

Leonardia said he will order the flying of the Philippine flag in Bacolod City at half-mast to honor Monteilbano.

Montelibano was a hard working public servant who got things done. He was my mentor, Silay Mayor Montelibano said.

The former governor and mayor was a hard-working, people-oriented public servant, who was totally committed to his job, Hofileña said.

Montelibano is survived by his wife, Jhay, and children Andy, Dondi, Allan, Philip and Corazon.*CPG

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