Cebu vice governor succumbs to lung cancer

Cebu province lost its vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. after he succumbed to Stage 4 lung cancer before dawn Friday. Sanchez died at a hospital in Cebu City around 2:40 a.m., radio dzBB's Cebu affiliate reported Friday morning. The report said Sanchez suffered a lung and kidney malfunction Thursday night. It added the vice governor had taken a leave of absence earlier, and had used his thumbprint to sign official documents. Earlier this month, his family confirmed he was suffering from lung cancer, and asked for prayers for his recovery. A separate report on Sun.Star said Sanchez died at age 68. Shortly after his relatives announced his illness, residents of Cebu had set up a Facebook page where they posted prayers for his recovery. "Cebu Vice Governor is diagnose(d) with lung cancer ... Let us all pray for his health," read the info page of the Facebook account. — LBG, GMA News