Ex-Ilocos Norte solon Ablan dies; 85

LAOAG CITY—Former Ilocos Norte Rep. Roque Ablan Jr. died of multiple organ failure on Monday at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City. He was 85.

Ablan, a lawyer and longtime ally of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, served for eight terms as representative of the first district of Ilocos Norte province from 1967 to 2004.

At 31, he served as senior board member of Ilocos Norte and as chair of the League of Board Members from 1963 to 1967.

Known in Ilocos Norte as “Alikabok,” Ilocanos remembered Ablan as a humble man with a generous heart as he never turned down those who sought his help.

In her Facebook post, Ablan’s daughter, Annette, said, “We just lost a wonderful father, not just to us, but also to the many people who [he] nurtured and took care of.”

Ablan’s son, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Kristian Ablan, posted in his Facebook account: “Lucky to be at his bedside when he died. I choose to remember the old man during happier days.” —REPORTS FROM LEILANIE ADRIANO AND LEILA B. SALAVERRIA