Negros Oriental Governor Carlo Jorge Joan “Guido” Reyes passed away on Wednesday morning, provincial officials have confirmed.
In a video posted online by the Negros Oriental provincial government, provincial administrator Karen Lisette Molas she received the information from Guihulngan City Vice Mayor Eunica Reyes.
In a GMA News report, Molas said: “About two and a half hours ago, I received a call from Vice Mayor Eunica Reyes. She informed me that the governor passed away this morning. I don’t have the exact time of death yet, but I do know that it happened today in the morning.”
The official said she had not been authorized by the family to disclose details regarding Reyes’ illness and death.
In can be recalled that on March 4, Reyes assumed the province’s highest post after Governor Roel Degamo was killed in an attack in Pamplona town on the same day.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Manuel Sagarbarria was sworn in as governor of Negros Oriental on Wednesday afternoon.
In a Facebook post, former board member Ikay Villanueva shared that Sagarbarria took his oath before Executive Judge Gerardo Paguio.
“I would like to give my deepest condolences to the family of my good friend Governor Guido. I have a lot of challenges, a lot of ideas for the province of Negros Oriental,” Sagarbarria said.
He said that he was saddened by Reyes’ passing and that he had always hoped for his recovery.
“I take this heavily and wholeheartedly. I am already here, so I will do my best [as] governor and try to bring my time and ability to help my province, Negros Oriental,” he added.