FORMER Manila mayor Gemiliano “Mel” Lopez Jr. died of a heart attack at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City Sunday night. He was 81.
The remains of the former Manila mayor, who was chairman of the Philippine National Oil Co. and Pacific Concrete Products Inc. at the time of his death, will be brought to Sto. Niño Church in Manila’s Tondo district, his long-time political bailiwick.
He will be buried at the Heritage Park in Taguig City after necrological rites at the Manila City Hall.
Lopez had been a Manila politician since 1967 when he became a city councilor. He later represented the city in the Martial Law Batasang Pambansa from 1984 to 1986 and mayor from 1986 to 1992.
In 1993, he was appointed by former President Fidel Ramos as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, serving until 1996.