Photo courtesy of the Negros Oriental Public Information Office.
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Philippines — Negros Oriental Gov. Carlo Jorge Joan “Guido” Reyes died on Wednesday morning due to a lingering illness. He was 62.
Provincial administrator Karen Lisette Molas said Reyes’ daughter Eunica, the vice mayor of Guihulngan City, had confirmed the governor’s death.
“[But] I am not authorized by the family to disclose any other details as to the circumstances of his illness and death,” Molas said in a video message she posted on Facebook.
Reyes died 89 days since he was sworn in as governor of Negros Oriental after the murder of then Gov. Roel Degamo on March 4.
Molas said she already met with Vice Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria Jr. to inform him about Reyes’ death and to turn over the governor’s programs and projects.
Sagarbarria is expected to assume the province’s top post within the week.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who prayed for our late governor Reyes. It has been my life’s honor to serve under such a kind and generous leader,” Molas said.
Dying in succession
“Thank you for all your love and support to the late governor. I hope his legacy in public service will live on and inspire others to do the same,” she added.
This is the first time in 12 years that two governors of Negros Oriental died in succession.
In 2010, then Gov. Emilio Macias II won a second term in the May elections but died of liver cancer the following month, on June 13, before taking his oath of office.
Macias was replaced by Vice Governor-elect Agustin Perdices but the latter also died of stomach cancer on Jan. 5, 2011.Degamo, then a provincial board member representing the third legislative district of Negros Oriental, assumed as governor in accordance with the Local Government Code’s rule of succession as he was the highest ranking member of the provincial board.
Degamo went on to hold the position until June 2022 when Pryde Henry Teves emerged as winner in the gubernatorial race.The Commission on Elections, however, nullified Teves’ victory after the votes received by nuisance candidate Grego Gaudia, who used the name “Ruel Degamo” in the 2022 elections, were credited in Degamo’s favor.
Teves, who served as governor of Negros Oriental for just four months, stepped down on Oct. 11, paving the way for Degamo to assume his post.
Degamo was assassinated inside the family compound in Pamplona town on March 4 this year. Nine other people who were with Degamo during the attack also died.
Eleven suspects were arrested and initially linked suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., Henry Pryde’s brother, to Degamo’s murder.
At least four suspects, however, had recanted their statements.