CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — One of Mindanao’s most prominent political figures and a former mayor of this city, Vicente Emano, died before dawn yesterday. He was 76.
Emano’s son Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vicente Emano said his father’s remains were cremated. The burial is set on Saturday.
Emano started his political career as mayor of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental from 1980 to 1983.
He rose to political prominence when he was appointed governor by former president Corazon Aquino in 1986. He was reelected and served until 1995.
Emano was mayor of Cagayan de Oro from 1998 to 2007 and 2010 to 2013 and vice mayor from 2007 to 2010.
He was the founder of the political party Padayon Pilipino.
Emano was running for vice mayor in the May elections with Jose Gabriel La Viña, a known ally of President Duterte, as his runningmate.
“I am saddened that I lost my running mate who is my partner in my quest for a new Cagayan de Oro, but only our Creator knows when our end is,” La Viña said in a statement.