Flags throughout Negros Occidental and Bacolod City yesterday flew at half-mast in honor of former Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Montelibano Jr. who passed away Wednesday night.

Gov. Joseph Marañon issued Executive Order No. 1, Series of 2008 directing all public offices, building and schools throughout Negros Occidental to fly their flags at half-mast “in memory of the true statesmanship and noble leadership” of Montelibano, beginning yesterday until he is laid to rest.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia also issued a similar order for Bacolod City .

Montelibano had been governor of Negros Occidental from 1968 to 1986, and mayor of Bacolod City from 1988 to 1995.

Marañon said Montelibano has left a large imprint for his significant contributions to the political, economic and social life of the province and city.

“For these significant contributions that have brought us to where we are today, we continue to thank and honor him,” he said.

May Montelibano's legacy of genuine public service and leadership remain an example, especially to the next generation, Marañon said.

The entire province of Negros Occidental joins the family of Montelibano in mourning his passing, Marañon said.

“Jr. Montelibano had that rare privilege of serving as governor of Negros Occidental and mayor of Bacolod City that assures him of his place in history. He has made his family proud as he lived up to the tradition of public service his family name is known for,” Leonardia, who was among the first to condole with the family at the hospital after Montelibano's death was confirmed, said.

“He is one example of sacrifice for having spent the best years of his life in government. We condole with his wife, Jhay, and children but for sure they are consoled that he has truly left his footprints in Bacolod and Negros Occidental,” the mayor added.

Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela, former governor of Negros Occidental, said Montelibano's passing away “marks the end of an era that will never be duplicated in Negros , May he rest in peace.”

“Gov. Jun gave so much of his life to serve his fellowmen, the Lord will greatly reward him in heaven,” former Gov. Daniel Lacson Jr. said.

“Just like his late father, he was a pillar of strength when he was governor of Negros Occidental and Mayor of Bacolod City…I intend to name a good street in behalf of his memory,” Rep. Monico Puentevella ( Bacolod ) said of Montelibano.

“Mayor Montelibano campaigned hard for us in the last election and we shall forever cherish that…I'm so elated we became very close friends until he passed away,” the solon said.

.“He was a no-nonsense leader and a man of principle,” Bacolod Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said.

“I will miss Guv Montelibano, the last of the truly charismatic political icons of the good old days in the province…The lessons I learned working with him as governor and as mayor I will always treasure,” close friend Laarni Aguilar said.

He was an exemplary leader, a sincere friend and an inspiration to many, Ricardo Tan, Land Transportation Office chief of the National Capital Region, said.

“His death means the passing of a political icon…He influenced the political landscape of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City . He had also built many political careers – both those who remained loyal to him through thick and thin, and those who fled and left him,” former Bacolod Mayor Luzviminda Valdez said.

Montelibano's body lies in state at the University of Saint La Salle Chapel in Bacolod City .

A necrological service for Montelibano will be held at the provincial Capitol social hall in Bacolod City after a 9:30 a.m. mass on Jan. 8, Vice Governor Isidro Zayco said.

Roger Las Piñas, a close ally of Montelibano, said the former governor's remains will tentatively be at the Capitol until 4 p.m. of Jan. 8 after which it will be transferred to the BAYS Center at 5 p.m. for a mass to be organized by the Bacolod City government.

The city government will also hold a necrological service for the former mayor of Bacolod on Jan. 9 at the BAYS Center and his remains will be transferred to the Imaculate Concepcion Parish in Villamonte in the evening, Las Piñas said.

The next day it will be returned to the USLS Chapel. The former governor and mayor is tentatively set to be buried at the Montelibano mausoleum in Binitin, Murcia on Jan. 17, Las Piñas said.*CPG

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