Negros Oriental governor succumbs to liver cancer

Negros Oriental Governor Emilio Macias II, 76, succumbed to liver cancer at 3 a.m. on Sunday at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City, where he has been confined for a month. Macias’ vital signs became erratic on Saturday afternoon, a report on the Visayan Daily Star said, citing Dr. Mark Macias, one of the governor’s physician-sons. The flag at the provincial Capitol now flies at half staff for Macias, the report said. In accordance with the governor’s wishes, his body will be cremated and ashes will be flown on Wednesday to Dumaguete City, accompanied by members of his family. Initial arrangements are to bring the governor's remains to the Capitol for a few days for the wake and necrological services before the interment scheduled Saturday in Siaton, Macias' hometown, Councilor-elect Erwin Macias said. Vice-Governor takes over Vice Governor Jose Baldado assumed the governorship about 14 hours after Macias' death. He was sworn in shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday at the Governor's Office by Regional Court Administrator Rafael Cresencio Tan. The hastily-arranged ceremony was attended by a few of Baldado's friends, immediate family, relatives, and Second District Rep. George Arnaiz. Baldado said he would call the department heads on Tuesday and find out what matters need immediate attention. "We will continue with the things that were initiated by the late Gov. Macias," Baldado said. For the next two weeks, Baldado will implement projects that deal with climate change and the celebration of environmental month. However, Baldado refused to comment on the scenario after his term expires on June 30. "We will tackle that problem when it comes because there are other implications that we cannot discuss now. We will cross the bridge when we get there," he said. Baldado said he was saddened over Macias’ death, saying that the day was a sad one for province. Baldado said that he and Macias were friends, even though they became political opponents in the last election. “I really feel so bad about this news," he said, in a separate report. Baldado said he has formed a committee that will ensure a smooth transition at the Capitol for the remaining two weeks of his term. He also said he was arranging an immediate meeting with his confidants to discuss the implications of this event. Macias 2nd term as governor The late governor Macias was reelected to a second term in the May 2010 elections. He served as governor from 1988 to 1998, then served as congressman from 1998 to 2007, the Visayan Daily Star said in the same report. Born on October 8, 1933 to then Congressman Lamberto Macias and Estrella Cabrera Macias, the late governor was educated at the West City Elementary School in Dumaguete City and then at Silliman University for his High School and Associate in Arts (Pre-Medicine). He then completed his degree in Doctor of Medicine from the University of the Philippines. He married his classmate, Dr. Melba Pandy Lopez, and together, they practiced medicine in the family-owned Manuel L. Teves Memorial Hospital in Dumaguete until 1984. They have six children — Eileen Marie, Emilio III, Lamberto II, Edward Mark, Erwin Michael and Eleanor. - RJAB Jr/KBK, GMANews.TV