Ilocos Norte vice gubernatorial bet passes away

The report added that Marcos was brought to the Laoag City General Hospital’s emergency room but was declared dead past 9 p.m. (File photo: Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte/Facebook)

A vice gubernatorial candidate in Ilocos Norte passed away on Friday evening, February 15, a few weeks before the campaign period for local bets begins.

According to a report by INQUIRER.net, Ilocos Norte Board Member Mariano “Nonong” Marcos II was supposed to board a Manila-bound aircraft when he was found unconscious inside a comfort room at the Laoag International Airport.

The report added that Marcos was brought to the Laoag City General Hospital’s emergency room but was declared dead past 9 p.m.

Marcos’s family has not yet announced the details of his wake.

In its official Facebook page, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte expressed its gratitude for serving the people in their province.

“Thank you for your years of service, compassion, and guidance to the Ilocano people. The Almighty knows just how many lives you have touched, and your legacy of leadership shall live on. May you rest in peace, Sir,” it wrote.

Netizens have also sent their condolences to Marcos’s family, with some of them recalling their memories with the vice gubernatorial bet.

“I was once his class liaison when he taught us International Business in the university. As a student back then, I saw him as a very generous and intellectual teacher who wanted nothing but to bring out the best in his class. Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility and for the wisdom you shared Sir Nonong,” Facebook user Orlaine April said.

Netizen Lau Ren also said it was a “great privilege” for her to be supervised and guided by Marcos, whom she described as a “good professor and leader.”

Marcos is the son of the late Pacifico Marcos and nephew of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

He was a businessman and served as a three-term provincial board member, from 2004 to 2013.