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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/ 26 December) – Surigao del Sur Governor Vicente Pimentel Jr. passed away on December 25 at the age of 71.
The governor died during his sleep, his younger brother Surigao de Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said.
Before becoming governor, Pimentel was mayor of Carrascal town from 1992 to 2001 and 2010 to 2016.
He first won the governorship in 2001 and was reelected for two more terms. He ran and won again in 2016.
Vice Governor Manuel Alameda Sr. will replace Pimentel until June 30, 2019.
Pimentel had filed for reelection, but his health condition forced him to withdraw his candidacy.
His younger brother, Tandag City Mayor Alexander Pimentel, replaced him as candidate for governor.
“The wake of my brother Surigao del Sur Governor Vicente Pimentel, Jr. will be at Manila Memorial Park starting tonight until Friday, December 28. On December 29, his remains will be sent home to Surigao del Sur,” Rep. Pimentel said on Wednesday in his Facebook account. (MindaNews)