Paolo “Paowee” Tantoco, a grandson of the Rustans Group founders and a well-known figure in Philippine business circles, died in Los Angeles from the effects of cocaine, with heart disease playing a role, according to the LA County Medical Examiner.
The coroner’s report ruled his death as accidental, listing cocaine use as the main cause and heart disease as a significant contributing condition. His case, recorded under number 2025-04377, remains officially open.
Tantoco, 44, was found dead on March 8 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where he was staying while attending the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF). He was part of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos’s delegation to the event, which ran from March 4 to 7. The festival’s gala night was held at the same hotel the evening before his death.
He leaves behind his wife, Dina Arroyo Tantoco, who is the niece of former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and currently works as deputy social secretary to President Marcos Jr. They have three children together.
At the time of his passing, Tantoco was serving as COO of Pacific Links Golf Development Inc., as well as chief security and procurement officer at Sta. Elena Golf and Country Estate. He also held the position of assistant vice president at Rustan Commercial Corporation, the family’s retail business.
