PARAÑAQUE CITY — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Friday, December 28, visited the wake of Surigao del Sur Governor Vicente Pimentel Jr. at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat.

The Chief Executive was received by the brothers of the late governor, Surigao del Sur 2nd District Representative Johnny Pimentel and Tandag City Mayor Alexander Pimentel.

President Duterte subsequently extended his sincerest condolences to the widow and the children of the late Governor Pimentel.

After the President met with the bereaved family of Pimentel for a few minutes, the President joined the Pimentel family for a photo opportunity before leaving the Rizal Premier Chapel.

Vicente Pimentel Jr. earlier filed his candidacy for re-election but withdrew it later due to his health condition.

According to his family, he passed away at the age of 71 in the morning of Christmas Day, December 25, in his sleep a day after he checked out from a hospital in Manila.

The remains of the governor will be flown to his hometown in Tandag, Surigao del Sur.

President Duterte visits wake of businessman Victor Consunji

Meanwhile, right after his visit to the Pimentels, President Duterte went to Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City to visit the wake of businessman Victor Almeda Consunji.

The President expressed his deepest condolences to the family of Victor Consunji and talked to some of the VIP guests who were also present in the venue.

After meeting with Consunji’s next of kin, President Duterte was not able to stay much longer due to Typhoon Usman’s possible landfall, which was being monitored by the government.

Victor Consunji, age 68, passed away on Thursday, December 27. At the time of his death, he was the vice-chairman of the board of directors, as well as the president and chief operating officer of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC). He was likewise the director of DMCI Holdings.

On both visits, President Duterte was accompanied by former Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. ###PND