COMFORTING messages and statements of sympathy and condolences flooded social media after political kingpin and founder of local party Padayon Pilipino, former Cagayan de Oro City mayor Vicente “Dongkoy” Emano, died Tuesday midnight, May 7, at the age of 76.
Emano's son, Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano, confirmed on Tuesday that his father died of pneumonia around 12:28 a.m.
“Gawas-sulod siya sa hospital unya gabii naghangyo pa siya nga gusto mouli. Kalit lang dayon siya nabugtoan. Maayo man gyud iyang condition niabot lang gyud ang panahon,” Emano said.
(He had been in and out of the hospital, and last night, he requested that he be allowed to go home. Then suddenly he was gone. He was fine, but his time has come.)
The elder Emano’s remains were cremated and his urn was brought to his house in Sta. Cecilia, Gusa for public viewing for three days.
Emano said his father’s ashes will be scattered in a place only the family knows and will be finally laid to rest at a cemetery in his hometown in Tagoloan.
The capitol's top official said he was saddened by the passing of his father whom he looked up to in terms of public service and good governance.
On behalf of the Emano family, the governor thanked all their supporters for believing in his father.
“Pasalamat mi sa higayon sa katawhan nga hangtod sa katapusan padayon ang iyang katuyuan nga makasilbi sa katawhan,” he said.
(We are thankful for the opportunity given to my father to serve the people until the end.)
Words of condolences
The older Emano died five days ahead of the midterm elections. However, even his political opponents extended their condolences.
Cagayan de Oro’s incumbent city Mayor Oscar Moreno in a statement expressed his sympathy. He acknowledged that they were rivals in politics, but they have remained friends.
“Over these past years, we fought a hard and long battle. It brought the best from each of us. But deep inside, we have remained friends. I have forgiven him, and I hope that he has forgiven me too,” he said in the statement.
“Rest in peace, Dongkoy. We will meet again in our next life, and I pray that we shall be friends forever,” he added.
Mayoral candidate Jose Gabriel “Pompee” La Viña was also saddened by the untimely death of his running mate.
He admired Dongkoy especially on how the latter brought the city to greater progress and development.
“Subo ako kaayo nga nawad-an ako og kauban nga kuyog ko unta sa pakigbisog sa bag-ong Cagayan apan ang atong labawng makagagahum lamang nasayod sa atong katapusan,” La Viña said.
(I am very sad that I lost a partner who will go with me in this fight for a new Cagayan, but our Creator only knows of our fates.)
City's second district congressional candidate Rufus Rodriguez said he had known Dongkoy for his sincerity in helping the poor and the marginalized and has been well-known for his good governance.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Mayor ‘Dongkoy’ Emano. We have lost a great man. A titan in Cagayan de Oro politics. Although we were on different sides in many political exercises, I am comforted by the fact that I had a full reconciliation with him and greatly honored to be with him in his last political endeavor. Let us pray for Mayor Dongkoy,” Rodriguez said.
Legacy
Emano started his political career in 1980 when he was elected as mayor of Tagoloan town until 1983. He then served as governor of the province from 1986 to 1995.
He completed his three-year term as mayor of the city from 1998 to 2007.
He ran and won as vice-mayor in 2007 to 2010. He successfully grabbed the mayoral seat anew from 2010 to 2013. But, he lost reelection in 2013 polls to Moreno.
At his prime, he was known to have been active in peace negotiations with local communist rebels in the hinterlands of Misamis Oriental, and had no record of oppressing press freedom.
Emano is currently challenging the reelection bid of Raineir Joaquin Uy for the vice-mayoral post in the coming midterm elections.