Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. has condoled with the family and provincemates of the late Marilao, Bulacan mayor Ricardo Silvestre who died in a vehicular crash on Sunday, Oct. 9.
“We condole and pray for Mayor Silvestre’s bereaved loved ones and the Marileños for the loss of a great leader who was a reflection of both wisdom and enthusiasm amid decades of public service. His legacy shall remain and will live on in the lives of the Marileños he touched with his brand of leadership,’’ Abalos said in a statement on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
In a report of the Integrated Command Center of Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Silvestre’s vehicle had just exited the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) when the sports utility vehicle (SUV) driven by Rodel Alcantara rammed into an electric post, toppling it down and wrecking the front portion of the Toyota Land Cruiser.
Alcantara and the mayor’s secretary, Karen Bonifacio, were injured but survived the accident.
“We commend the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Mabalacat Police Station and the CDC Medics for their swift action and response at the scene of the accident as they immediately brought the victims to the nearest hospital,’’ Abalos said.
The DILG chief expressed hope that the mayor’s driver and his secretary will be able to immediately recover from their injuries and trauma they sustained in the accident.
Reports disclosed that Silvestre, Bonifacio, and Alcantara were able to answer some questions of the first responders before they were rushed to Medical City Clark but the mayor was declared dead two hours later.
More affectionately referred to as RS, Silvestre was well-loved by his townmates and was known for being a good, industrious and generous leader.
He served as Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president for 11 years and later won as mayor in 2019 and was victorious in his re-election bid in 2022. (Chito A. Chavez)