Misor mayor drives to Oro hosp’l, parks, then dies later

By Edwin Iyo
Correspondent .

MAYOR Gregorio Jonathan Po of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental drove to a hospital, parked and then rushed to the emergency room because he wasn’t feeling well. He died of cardiac arrest shortly, on Sunday.

The 51-year old Po reportedly rushed to the Madonna and Child Maternity Hospital in Carmen because of chest pains while he was in a mall in uptown Cagayan de Oro.

Alberto Acain, a former mayor of Initao who serves as Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano’s political officer, said Po managed to still drive his car from the mall to a nearby Madonna.

Po properly parked his car and then proceeded to emergency room for first aid. The mayor was subsequently declared dead.

Gov. Emano said he was saddened with Po’s death.

“Ang katawhan sa Misamis Oriental nagpahasubo sa hinanali nga kamatayon ni Mayor Po,” Emano said.

Emano said Po was very supportive of the capitol’s programs especially on tourism development.

“We’re not in the same party but despite that, he was very supportive,” he said.

Po was reelected mayor of Jasaan in 2016 under the National Unity Party led by Rep. Juliette Uy of the province’s 2nd District. He was among three town mayors in the province who joined the NUP in May 2016. The other two were mayors Leonardo Uy of Libertad and Emmanuel Mugot of Gitagum.

Po will be succeeded by Vice Mayor Julius Pagaspas based on the rule on automatic succession.