Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla dies at 78

Nueva Vizcaya Governor Carlos Padilla died on Friday morning due to a heart attack, according to a report from his relatives.

"Gusto lang po namin i-announce na officially, siya po ay pumanaw ngayong araw,” said the governor’s eldest son, Carlos "Jojo" Padilla II in a video statement.

“Maraming salamat po sa pagpapakita ng simpatiya at suporta para sa aming pamilya, para kay Governor,” he added.

According to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Anthony Cortez, Padilla’s time of death was at 9:20 a.m.

The League of Provinces of the Philippines expressed gratitude to the late governor under General Assembly Resolution No. 2023-013 for his dedication and commitment to serving his people and to giving heartfelt condolences to those he left behind.

“Now, therefore, the League of Provinces of the Philippines, in appreciation of his indefatigable service to our people, expresses its eternal gratitude to a colleague and mentor, Gov. Carlos M. Padilla," it said.

"LPP convey its heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of Gov. Padilla, whose death leaves a huge dent as an irreplaceable forebearer in their lives,” it added.

Padilla, aged 78, was in his third and final term as governor of Nueva Vizcaya. Before this, he spent 29 years as the Representative of the Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya, including six years of stint in the Batasang Pambansa.

He also served as Deputy Speaker and a Minority Leader while in Congress. He became a member of the Commission on Appointments and the House of Representative Electoral Tribunal (HRET).

Padilla was married to Ruth Raña Padilla, who also served as provincial governor of Nueva Vizcaya and PRC Commissioner. They have three children -- Carlos “Jojo” II, Ruthie Maye, and Carlo Paolo.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News