March 29, 2024

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Board Member Alexandre Claver passed away on Oct. 22 after collapsing at a wake in Barlig. He was 50.

Per post in the Provincial Government of Mountain Province Facebook page, Claver, together with some church members of Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, went to Latang, Barlig for a wake when he suddenly collapsed. He was immediately subjected to cardiopulmonary resuscitation by a police nurse and was revived. He was then rushed to the Barlig District Hospital and was given immediate medical attention, but was later pronounced dead.

His remains were brought to the Bontoc Municipal Capitol on Oct. 27 for a necrological service by the Bontoc municipal government. 

Mayor Franklin Odsey said Claver, popularly known as Andre, was a vibrant individual with a rare friendliness and a charm of personality.

“He was a man filled with the joy of living. He was a loving husband, a devoted father, and a caring son to his parents. He was also a good friend to many and a great colleague. In his political career, he worked with passion, integrity, commitment, and energy,” the mayor said. 

He added with his family’s political background, having served as confidential executive assistant of his father as former mayor and vice governor, he easily won a seat as councilor and board member. 

Odsey said Claver earned his respect as he confidently voiced his objection in giving blanket authority to the local chief executive in decision making. The mayor said Claver recognized that in governance, the authority given must be subject to review and confirmation as check and balance. 

Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen and Councilor Alsannyster Patingan remember Claver not only as an effective and persistent legislator and committed public servant, but also a responsible family man. 

Patingan said Claver is probably the most mild-mannered and even-tempered legislator he ever had a chance to work with. He narrated how Claver participated in the discussion in council sessions but maintained his composure even in heated arguments. 

“He maintains that cool, almost self-assured persona which allowed him to view the issues with clarity and avoid making kneejerk and emotional reactions to vital issues. His confident composure was almost always a welcome relief and rallying point during the sessions of the SB,” Patingan said.

He said Claver was instrumental in the crafting of the ordinance revising requirements for the issuance and/or renewal of municipal tricycle operator’s permit. He was also co-author of an ordinance opening 100 additional tricycle franchises in Bontoc to allow the registration and operation of more tricycle units to serve the riding public and an ordinance imposing new speed limits for implementation in the municipality. 

The town expressed its condolences to the bereaved family and gratitude for Claver through an SB resolution. 

Alexandre James, Claver’s son, was thankful for the overwhelming support and prayers.

“I hope his memory will help others to be motivated and to be good citizens in the community. May his work and accomplishments stay as an inspiration to us all,” he added. 

Claver finished his elementary and secondary education at Saint Vincent’s School and college at the Baguio Colleges Foundation and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree in 1993 and law in 1999. 

From 2007 to 2010, he worked as the private secretary of his father, who was then the vice governor of Mountain Province. 

He became one of the executive assistants of the late Gov. Leonard G. Mayaen, handling the Mountain Province Student Financial Assistance Program.

Following his father’s footsteps, he resigned as an executive assistant and ran as Bontoc councilor in 2016 and won.  

He then ran for president of the Provincial Councilors’ League and won, giving him a seat as an ex-officio member of the sangguniang panlalawigan.

He won as board member of District 1 in May 2019. 

Claver was a member of the Knights of Columbus and an adviser to the Federated Transport Group of Mountain Province.       

He filed his candidacy for vice governor in the 2022 national and local election.

Claver is survived by his wife Cleone, his three children Louigo Lapaan, Sadja Lacfen, and Alexandre James; his parents Atty. Louis Claver II and Milagros Taleon-Cawed, and six other siblings. – Alpine L. Killa