Liberal Party Congressional candidate for Siquijor, Dr. Jay Pernes, died of an apparent heart attack Sunday afternoon (not Saturday as earlier reported).
Sr. Supt. Marcelo Garbo, Police Regional Director for Region 7, broke the news in a text message to reporters.
Sources said Pernes was at his home in Barangay Nonoc, Larena when he had the attack. He was brought to the Siquijor District Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:20 p.m.
Dr. Christiansen Sevilleno, the doctor on duty at the Siquijor District Hospital, said Pernes was dead on arrival.
Sevilleno said he believes Pernes died of a heart ailment.
It was learned from Siquijor journalist Renan Ansing that Pernes went to see a doctor, Rhea Pal-ing, in nearby Enrique Villanueva town, Saturday morning.
Jay Pernes was an OB-gynecologist based in Quezon City who has had no previous political experience. He was 49.
Pernes’ body was brought to the Calibo Funeral Homes in Siquijor.
Pernes was running against Gov. Orlando “Shane” Fua of the Lakas NUCD.
Pernes’ wife Marie Ann and their four children were in a meeting with the Liberal Party officials of Siquijor to determine his successor.
Siquijor Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Eliseo Labaria told the MetroPost that the Liberal Party still was not able to name a replacement as of 8:45 Sunday night. They have until 12 noon of election day to name a substitute.
