MANILA, Philippines (7th UPDATE) - Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr. died Thursday after life-support systems were removed from his body, said his brother, former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo.

"Support systems were pulled out already thirty minutes ago. My brother passed away already. I'm so sad," he said.

The Negros lawmaker was earlier declared "clinically dead" and was only relying on life support systems after he suffered a cardiac arrest Wednesday night.

"At that point, an ambulance was called for him in London. He was revived at the hospital but he went into a coma. This morning, his heart stopped beating," Mike Arroyo said in an earlier statement.

ABS-CBN London correspondent Gene Alcantara confirmed that Iggy Arroyo was suddenly rushed to the intensive care unit of the London Clinic Wednesday.

He said on TV Patrol that journalists were barred from going inside the hospital.

Alcantara, however, said sources inside the hospital had revealed that Arroyo was in serious condition.

He said the sources have also confirmed that Arroyo has died.

With common-law wife

No one was with Iggy Arroyo in London, except for his common-law wife Grace Ibuna, he added.

Ibuna has declined to give a statement to the public.

Hospital officials later issued a statement about Iggy Arroyo's death.

"Sadly, I can confirm that Mr. Ignacio Arroyo passed away at the clinic early this morning. We would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family. It would be inappropriate at this time for us to disclose any more details," a hospital official said.

Iggy Arroyo's body was later brought out of the hospital and transported by an ambulance to an undetermined location.

Deputy chief of mission Rey Catapang went to the hospital to express his condolences.

Ibuna, meanwhile, went to their apartment in Kensington, West London, to rest.

No word has yet been given if and when Iggy Arroyo's remains will be brought to the Philippines.

Liver ailment

The younger Arroyo went to London last year to seek treatment for a liver ailment. He was listed as one of the lawmakers with the most number of absences in the House of Representatives for 2011.

He earlier told ABS-CBN News last December that he had to stay longer in London because of his ongoing treatment.

 He also urged President Benigno Aquino III to show compassion to his sister-in-law, former President Gloria Arroyo.

'Jose Pidal'

The younger Arroyo figured in the news in 2003 after he claimed ownership of the multi-million-peso "Jose Pidal" account, allegedly owned by his brother.

He again allegedly covered up for his brother after he claimed that he leased 5 helicopters from Lionair Inc. since 2004. Two of the second-hand choppers were allegedly sold to the Philippine National Police for $700,000 in 2009.

Arroyo's claim ran contrary to claims made by Lionair President Archibald Po that Mike Arroyo purchased and used the choppers before they were sold to the PNP.