“With sadness, we share the news that our brother Ricky has passed away,” the lawmaker said in a statement.
“Words are hard to come by to express the sorrow of losing him, but we take comfort in our fond memories of him to overcome the pain we feel,” he added.
He did not discuss the cause of his brother’s death.
He thanked all the people who extended condolences to their family as he asked for time and space to grieve in private.
The older Recto filed his candidacy for the gubernatorial post during the recent election but later backed out and instead supported his rival Governor Hermilando Mandanas.
He is facing charges for direct assault against a person in authority and violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
He was also arrested in July for violation of RA 9262 or the Violence Against Women and their Children Act in relation to RA 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which stemmed from a complaint filed by his former girlfriend.
A police report revealed that Recto was found dead around 6 p.m. of December 5 in his bedroom in his residence in Barangay Ugong, Pasig City.
It said he was seated in a lazy boy with a pillow on his chest and holding a pistol in his right hand. (SunStar Philippines)