NEGROS Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo passed away yesterday in London after he was removed from life support.

Arroyo   suffered cardiac arrest and was declared “clinically dead” while undergoing medical treatment in London, his brother former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo said.

Malacañang offered its sympathies to the Arroyos.

“We extend our sympathies to his loved ones,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Rep. Arroyo was diagnosed with liver cancer last year and sought medical treatment in London.

Yesterday morning while undergoing a major operation, he suffered cardiac arrest which prompted the doctors to halt the operation.

At noon yesterday, Mike Arroyo announced that his brother was already dead but a few hours later he issued another statement clarifying that the congressman was still alive and was on life support.

Iggy, 60, was born on July 15, 1951. He was on his third and final term as Representative of the 5th District of Negros Occidental.

Iggy became controversial when he came  out to claim ownership of the contentious Jose Pidal bank accounts which according to the Arroyos’ critics were owned by his brother.

With EMontano