The live-in partner of the late vice mayor of Dueñas, Iloilo delivered an emotional message at the necrological service prior to the Requiem Mass at Saint Jerome Parish Church.

Lord Byron Torrecarion, live-in partner of Aimee Paz Lamasan, the late vice mayor of Dueñas town, said that when the incident happened, they were both in their residence in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Lamasan was reportedly set to go home to Dueñas for a gift-giving activity.

“Ang kasalanan ko ay sinabi ko na sige, ako na lang dito ang tatao sa bahay. So, she rushed and the accident happened. Since, before her last breath, hindi ako nag-issue ng statement, hindi ako nag-issue because I don’t want to be self-serving, you can judge me whatever you want but don’t judge the sincerity and the love of Aimee sa inyo,” Torrecarion said.

He also apologized to Lamasan’s family. He said he did the best he could to save the vice mayor.

"Bumabalik sa isip ko kung pinigilan ko sana siya umalis, huwag mag-rush, would that accident happen? But knowing Aimee, uunahin niya ang serbisyo. I tried but I am sorry, hindi ko siya na-save. I tried everything, we all tried even at the last minute, nagtatanong kami sa doctor, what else can we do?” Torrecarion added.

Saint Jerome Parish Church and the plaza was observed to have been packed with mourners on January 7, 2026.

"Masayahin siyang vice mayor at kung makausap mo siya, matulungin rin siya, hindi ka niya pababayaan,” Christopher Lacerdo, a resident, said.

"Napakabait, madaling lapitan na parang wala lang gap na vice mayor siya, ikaw, mahirap lang. Matulungin siyang vice mayor,” Ellen Paclihan, another resident, said.

The death of the vice mayor sowed speculations. However, in a press conference on January 7, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the vice mayor did not figure in any anomaly.

"Number 1 si vice mayor ay hindi involved in any way sa flood control, wala talaga. Number 2 she is not involved in any way sa projects ng munisipyo. Magkasundo sila ng mayor, there is no political angle,” Remulla said.

However, the Special Investigation Task Group proceeds with its probe despite Remulla’s statement that the death was due to accidental firing.

Lamasan was buried at the Dueñas Roman Catholic Cemetery.