BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines — Negros Occidental province and Bacolod City officials had expressed their condolences to the family of Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo (5th District, Neg. Occ.) who suffered a heart attack and died in a London hospital Thursday night, after a long battle with cirrhosis.
“We extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the family of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo. May God comfort all of you in your moment of bereavement and give you strength through the difficult times ahead,” the Negros Occidental officials said in a statement published in newspapers yesterday.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he was saddened by the death of the congressman, saying, “He (Iggy) was a great loss to the province.” Iggy was on his third term as Negros Occidental congressman.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said: “Whatever your political affiliation or inclination is, you can say Rep. Iggy was a fine gentleman. He was mild-mannered and never displayed any ounce of arrogance, even at the height of power. We are saddened by this bad news and may his soul rest in peace.”
Representative Alfredo Marañon III (2nd District, Neg. Occ.) said he was surprised to hear the news about Iggy’s death, because the last time he saw Iggy was when he was getting better and doctors had a cure for his liver ailment.
Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (3rd District, Neg. Occ.) said, “Let us pray for him and his family in this hard time.”
Representative Mercedes Alvarez (6th District, Neg. Occ.) said she was saddened by the death of Arroyo. “He was a good man and had many plans for his district. He was a very supportive colleague, especially with the bill converting NSCA (Negros State College of Agriculture) into a state university. He will be missed,” she said.
Iggy, 60, was declared clinically dead earlier in the day according to his older brother, former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, who added later that his brother’s life support system had been removed.
Grace Ibuna, who had been with Iggy in London, told The FREEMAN that while the congressman was still on life support she pleaded with him to fight for his life and had been hoping and praying for a miracle.
Ibuna, who was referred to as the “long-time companion/partner” of Iggy, said the congressman had been put on life support at the London Clinic after being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance at 11 p.m. on Wednesday (about 7 a.m. yesterday Manila time). “It all happened so fast,” she said.
Iggy had gone to London late last year for treatment of his liver disease.