NEGROS Oriental Governor Carlo Jorge “Guido” Reyes died of a terminal illness at a hospital in Metro Manila on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo confirmed.

Remollo said Reyes has been in a hospital in Manila for the past few days.

Reyes, then vice governor, took over the position of Governor Roel Degamo who was assassinated on March 4 at his residential compound in Pamplona.

Reyes was elected as vice governor during the May 9 elections where he ran in tandem with Degamo.

Remollo said he was informed by Guihulngan City Mayor Filomeno Reyes, brother of the late governor, that the body of the official was scheduled to be brought back in Negros Oriental where his wake will lie in the state.

He will be given the honors and rites that he deserves, Remollo said.

No other details were given by the family about the governor's death, he said.

By rule of succession, former Board Member and incumbent Vice Governor Manuel Sagarbarria Jr., the son of Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria (Negros Oriental, 2nd District), will be the governor, Remollo also said.

Sagarbarria is a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Remollo said about 12 years ago, in 2010, then governor Emilio Macias II died a few weeks after he won the gubernatorial elections and a few months later, Macias' successor, Agustin Perdices, also died in January 2011.

Their deaths paved the way for Degamo, who had just been elected as board member in the 2010 elections, to assume the governorship.

Reyes’ son, Jake Reyes, will succeed Sagarbarria’s post as vice governor, Remollo said.