Ex-Iloilo guv Tupas Sr. dies at 82

MANILA, Philippines – Former Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr., 82, died early Tuesday morning due to lingering illness.

Tupas Sr., who would have celebrated his birthday on Friday, had been confined at the hospital for about a month. He died at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City around 1:35 a.m. Tuesday.

“At 1:35am this morning November 24,2015, our dearest tatay, Niel D. Tupas Sr., returned to his Creator. He is now at peace with God. Thank you for all your love, prayers, and support. We love you, tatay. You will always live in our hearts,” Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., son of Tupas Sr. posted on his Facebook account.

Reports said Tupas Sr.’s wake will be held at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.

Tupas Sr., patriarch of the Iloilo political clan, served as Iloilo governor from 2001 to 2010. He also became a solon from 1987 to 1998.

On December 2014, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales indicted him and thee other officials for allegedly overpaying P4 million worth of unconsumed electricity.