Local officials and residents of Marilao town, Bulacan province are mourning the death of Mayor Ricardo Silvestre in a road accident in Mabalacat, Pampanga on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 9.
Based on the 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 accident happened.
It was learned that upon reaching Prince Balagtas Avenue, the mayor’s vehicle, driven by Rodel Alcantara, crashed into an electric post.
The strong impact toppled the electric post and wrecked the front of the vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, according to the report.
The driver and the mayor’s secretary, Karen Bonifacio, were injured in the accident.
Based on the initial police report, the driver could have fallen asleep.
Reportedly, Mayor Silvestre, Bonifacio, and Alcantara were able to answer some questions of the first responders before they were rushed to Medical City Clark.
But after two hours, Silvestre was declared dead. Bonifacio and Alcantara were treated in the hospital.
Through their official Facebook pages, Gov. Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro expressed their condolences to the bereaved family of Mayor Silvestre and thanked him for his friendship and for his good service to the people of Marilao.
Silvestre was known as a good, industrious and generous leader. He served as ABC President for 11 years. He was elected as town executive in 2019 and won again in the 2022 local elections.