Sitoy’s work leaves mark on colleagues, family

CEBU, Philippines - His passion and dedication for public service and his love for family are two of the reasons former Cebu Provincial Board member Arleigh Jay Sitoy was admired by his colleagues and others.

Majority Floor Leader Jude Thadeo Sybico described Sitoy as a "prolific" and "extraordinary" man who envisioned help Cebu progress further.

Despite his infirmity, Sybico said Sitoy showed he was committed, kind-hearted, and fearless - qualities of a great leader. 

Sybico said Sitoy was always ready to defend his proposed legislations against the PB's majority bloc. He was the lone opposition in the PB during his first term from 2010 to 2013.

 "Kahinumdum ko tabangan to siya by some PB members who were masters of interpellation. He was always outvoted but he stood his ground alone as I watched in awe," Sybico said.

 He said it was from the "veteran" Sitoy that he learned how to fight, voice out what you believe in, and never give up on life.

 "He said he knew his ordinance would be outvoted but still he wanted to be heard. He wanted to present his legislation and defend his beliefs. He is a man of perseverance indeed," Sybico said.

 "He stands out not because he has disability. He stands out because he doesn't act like one. Bilib ko niya. He is a very rare kind of person. We will miss whenever he cracks a joke. He was the life of the party," he added.

 Sybico, Sitoy's father Adelino and daughter Atty. Leina Katrina Sitoy, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, and First District Board Member Yolanda Daan delivered eulogies at the necrology service at the Capitol yesterday.

 Sitoy died last Monday at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Manila due to acute pulmonary embolism or a blockage in an artery in the lung. He was 58.

His remains were flown to Cebu yesterday. From the Capitol, his body was brought to the Cosmopolitan Memorial Chapel in Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City for a three-day wake. 

 Sitoy's remains will be transferred to his hometown in Cordova on Saturday and will be cremated on Monday.

 "Nanugon siya nga magpa-sunog siya kay dili siya gusto nga ang wati magduwa sa iyang lawas," Adelino said.

Adelino also said President Rodrigo Duterte might visit the wake of his son and that he will write to the President to confirm his attendance.

In an interview with The Freeman, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino said there was no confirmation about the visit as of yesterday.

 "No confirmation. Molarga siya sa Peru ugma. Pero wa pay final unsa jud".

Colleagues' words

Capitol officials said beyond his work in politics, Sitoy will be remembered for his laugh and sense of humor.

 "Di gyod nako makalimtan ang imong dakong bahakhak. We will miss you," Daan said.

 Davide recalled how good-hearted and jolly Sitoy was. He said they were not very close but were friends.

 "A leader, scholar, gentleman... mao na si Arleigh. He was a warrior in the true sense of the word.  Despite his health condition, it did not quell his desire to render public service," Davide said.

 "As a lawmaker, he authored landmark ordinances and resolutions nga nihatag og benepisyo sa mga Sugbuanon," he added.

 Sitoy authored a total of 1,448 resolutions, 26 approved ordinances and 528 committee reports.

Father's son

Adelino broke down to tears when he showed photos of him and his son in Malacañang.

Sitoy stayed with him in Manila as senior consultant when Adelino was appointed by Duterte as Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office in Malacañang last September.

 "Ang dakong kalipay nako kadtong nagkadikit mi sa Manila. I appointed him as my senior consultant… akong ipakita ninyo iyahang handumanan litrato mga hulagway sa mubo nga panahon nga kami unta nagkatambayayong na gyud ug usa ra gyud among direction sa among trabaho unta," Adelino said.

 He said political issues caused disagreements between the two of them in the past.

 Adelino recalled how kind his son was and how fond he was of serving his constituents.

 "I could not just imagine giunsa niya paghimo adtong pag-survive pagkuha sa usa ka kidney… devastated iyahang kidney, way itsura, murag balay sa putyukan iyahang kidney pero he still managed to survive and he managed to preside over the meetings of the consultants and all personnel sa Malacañang," Adelino shared.

 "Pag-ayo-ayo dong," he told his son.

Father

Like her grandfather, Sitoy's daughter Leina could not hold back tears when she delivered her eulogy.

"I grew up to a political family… some would say it's a curse, some would say it's a blessing, some would say it's a big responsibility… I would say it's a mix but a very good mix," she said.

 "Through time, I am now beginning to realize and see what my father has always wanted us to see and the work that he does. Growing up in a political family is a very big blessing that comes with even a bigger responsibility. There we're sacrifices that we took as a family… time with the family lost because of some other community affair… PTA meetings that were missed because of some calamity that he had to attend to..."

"I am quite happy how my dad led our family by example through the changes he did in Cebu in Cordova and the vision that he had, striving to accomplish for the province up until his last breath," she said.

Sitoy served as mayor of Cordova for three terms, from 1998 to 2007, before he was elected as Board Member representing Cebu's Sixth District from 2010 to 2016.

 He headed the committees on differently-abled persons (2010-2016) and the arts and culture (2010-2013) and served as acting majority floor leader and acting minority floor leader. (FREEMAN)