(Eagle News) — The wife of Rep. Rodel Batocabe, who was slain in December last year, will replace him in the mayoral race in Daraga, Albay.
Gertie Duran-Batocabe made the announcement herself in a Facebook post.
Her post included pictures of President Rodrigo Duterte, who appeared to have endorsed her bid.
“Thank you, Mr. President for all the help and encouragement. Yes, ready to be a #partnerforchange for our hometown of Daraga!,” she said.
She said she also had a “very fruitful meeting with (Tourism) Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, (Interior) Secretary Eduardo Año and (former Special Assistant to the President) Bong Go regarding tourism, local governance and security.”
The congressman was about to board his vehicle after attending a gift-giving event in December last year when he was fired at.
His bodyguard, SP01 Orlando Diaz, was also killed in the incident that left several others injured.
Six men who were behind the killing surrendered to authorities and pointed at Daraga, Mayor Carlwyn Baldo as the mastermind, police said.
All seven have been charged with murder and frustrated murder.
Baldo, who was arrested on charges of illegal possession of firearms, complained of difficulty in breathing following his arrest, and was taken to the hospital.
