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Former Iloilo gov Tupas Sr. dies at 82


(Updated 1:42 p.m.) Former Iloilo governor Niel Tupas Sr. died due to a lingering illness at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City early Tuesday. He was 82.

"At 1:35 a.m. this morning November 24, 2015, our dearest tatay, Niel D. Tupas Sr., returned to his Creator. He is now at peace with God. Thank you for all your love, prayers, and support. We love you, tatay. You will always live in our hearts," Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. announced on Facebook.

In a text message to GMA News Online, the younger Tupas said his father's wake will be held at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Quezon City "for two to three days."

"Then we will bring him home to Iloilo," the lawmaker said.

Before getting elected as governor of Iloilo from 2001 to 2010, Tupas Sr. was a member of the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1998.

Graft case

Meanwhile, Sandiganbayan Fifth Division clerk of court Ma. Teresa Pabulayan said the court has yet to receive a formal letter from Tupas Sr.'s counsel about his demise.

She, however, said that the Fifth Division welcomes any motion for the dismissal of the former governor's pending case with the court.

"We have yet to be informed by his camp [about his death], but they can file a formal motion for the dismissal of the case. All they have to do is to attach his death certificate," Pabulayan said.

Tupas Sr. and three of his co-accused are facing a graft case before the Fifth Division in connection with the alleged payment of a private company for the provincial government’s unconsummated electricity worth P4 million.

Tupas Sr.'s scheduled arraignment for the case had been postponed twice following his confinement at the Philippine Heart Center.

Tupas was diagnosed with coronary artery disease, hypertensive cardiovascular disease and secondary pancytopenia or the reduction of red and white blood cells as well as platelets.

Pabulayan, meanwhile, clarified that the trial of the case of Tupas Sr.' co-accused Iloilo provincial accountant Lyd Tupas, assistant department head of the office of the provincial accountant Sandra Bionat, and general services department head Ramie Salcedo, will proceed.

"The dismissal of the case of the primary accused is not tantamount to the dismissal of the case of his co-accused. Thus, the proceedings must continue," Pabulayan said.

Tupas Sr.'s co-accused have all entered a "not guilty" plea during their arraignment on November 13.—With reports from Xianne Arcangel and Elizabeth Marcelo/ALG/KG, GMA News

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