MANILA - Makati Mayor Abigail Binay on Tuesday condoled with the family of veteran singer and Makati Councilor Rico J. Puno following the latter's death due to heart failure.

"Maraming-maraming salamat, Konsehal Rico J, sa inialay mong panahon, talento at pagmamahal sa ating bayan," Binay said in a statement released hours after reports of Puno's death were confirmed by his family.

• OPM icon Rico J. Puno passes away

Binay thanked the entertainer-turned-politician for his service and prayed for his "peaceful journey to the Kingdom of God."

"Bilang isang batikang mang-aawit, artista at TV host, nakapaghatid siya ng saya at aliw sa napakaraming Pilipino sa buong bansa at maging sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo," Binay said.

(As a veteran singer, actor and TV host, he brought joy and entertainment to many Filipinos here and abroad.)

"Higit pa rito ang kanyang nagawa para sa mamamayan ng Makati, na kanyang tapat na pinaglingkuran bilang Konsehal sa loob ng halos 12 taon," she said.

(More than this, he service for the people of Makati truthfully as a councilor for almost 12 years.)

Puno served as a councilor for Makati's first district from 1998 to 2007. He ran for vice mayor alongside former Makati Mayor Jejomar "Junjun" Binay Jr. in 2010, but lost to Romulo Pena, Jr.

He was reelected as Makati councilor in 2016 under Binay's United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Puno was among the councilors who left Mayor Binay's party last month, after she had a falling out with her brother, Binay Jr., over politics.

Puno and 12 other councilors pledged to support for Binay Jr. who will run against incumbent Mayor Binay in the 2019 mayoralty race.

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