Former Negros Occidental Governor and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Montelibano Jr. stood out as a leader because he was loved by the people, speakers at a necrological service for him at the Provincial Capitol said yesterday.

The remains of Montelibano arrived at the provincial Capitol at 9 a.m. yesterday for a mass and necrological service attended by his widow, Miriam Jhay, children, Negros Occidental officials, mayors and government employees.

A vigil was then held at the Capitol until 4 p.m. after which his remains were transferred to the San Sebastian Cathedral for a mass, followed by an overnight vigil at the BAYS Center . The Bacolod City government will honor him with a necrological service this morning.

“We in government, who are colleagues of Gov. Montelibano should find his example of public service and devotion to God as an inspiration,” said Gov. Joseph Marañon in a message read for him by Vice Govenor Isidro Zayco at the Capitol necrological service.

Montelibano will be missed by those whose lives he touched, the thousands who watched him work and by Negrenses whose lives he improved, Marañon said.

The roads Montelibano constructed in Negros Occidental, especially in far-flung barangays, have been instrumental in spurring the economic development in the countryside, he added.

He also cited Montelibano's pioneering efforts to help, especially the small planters, as they initially developed their once unproductive lands.

The Negros Occidental Sanggunian in a special session passed a resolution expressing its condolence to the family of Montelibano.

Board Member Melvin Ibanez read the resolution that cited Montelibano as a distinguished leader who made his mark in public service.

Board Member Emilio Yulo III thanked Montelibano for the seeds and legacy he planted.

He set the example in public service that is a challenge for us to try to equal but his work is difficult to surpass, Yulo said.

Former Board Member Elvira Guanzon, who was in public office with Montelibano for 18 years, recalled his work at improving the lives of Negrenses and the development of sports in the province.

Guanzon said she remembers him as a young and energetic public official who was accessible to the rich and poor. Anybody could come and see him at his office or house, she said.

She also lauded Montelibano's wife, Jhay, for her support for her husband that boosted the success of his work in the service of the people.

Former Board Member Roberto Cuenca said he worked with Montelibano for five years and the former governor taught him the word love.

He was a great and very special man because the people loved him, and that's what made him stand out the most as a leader, Cuenca said.

The former governor and mayor's brother, Roberto Montelibano, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, gave the response in behalf of the Montelibano family.,

He thanked the provincial, city and municipal government officials for honoring his brother, and the people of Negros for their support for him through the years.

My brother was the longest-serving governor of Negros Occidental after he grudgingly gave in to the urging of our father and party leaders in 1967 to go into the difficult years of politics, the MBCCI president said.

“He subsequently dedicated his best efforts to the service of the people, giving priority to the less fortunate among them,” with the rallying cry of Paglaum symbolizing the aspirations of Negrenses for a better life, he added.

“Junior's strongest motivation was to serve his people in the best public service legacy handed down by our father,” capping his public career with eight more years as mayor of Bacolod City , he said.

Among those who attended the vigil at the Capitol yesterday afternoon were former Senator John Osmeña and Enrique Rojas, National Federation of Sugarcane Planters president.

The Osmeñas and Montelibanos go back a long way, the former senator told the DAILY STAR.

Alfredo Montelibano Sr. was secretary of national defense when my grandfather, Sergio Osmeña Sr., was president of the Philippines in 1946, he said.

Montelibano's type of leadership is one not found very often today. He was a visionary, he knew what his constituents needed, Osmeña said.

“I looked up to him and admired his leadership,” said the former senator.*CPG

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