Ex-mayor Nalupta; 74

LAOAG CITY—Former Batac Mayor Jesus Nalupta Sr., a pillar of the Nalupta political family in Ilocos Norte, died of a heart attack at Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center here on Sunday night.

Nalupta, 74, held the reins of the Batac government for nearly 20 years, beginning 1988 when he first served as mayor. He completed his three terms as mayor in 1998. He made a comeback in 2001 and served Batac for six more years.

He would have run unopposed in his third and final term in 2007 but he withdrew his candidacy in favor of his son, incumbent Mayor Jeffrey Nalupta.

Nalupta is survived by wife Daisy Castro Nalupta, president of the Federation of Women’s Organizations in Batac, and eight sons. Cristina Arzadon, Inquirer Northern Luzon