DARAGA, Albay – The widow of slain Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe is running for mayor of this town in the May 13, 2019 midterm polls.
Gertrudes “Gertie” Duran-Batocabe announced her decision to replace her husband in a news conference last Friday following a meeting with President Duterte in Malacañang the day before. She was accompanied by lawyer-son Justin and Albay Gov. Francis Bichara in the news conference.
Gertie is facing detained Mayor Carlwyn “Awin” Baldo and acting Mayor Victor Perete.
Gertie, a graduate of mass communications at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, said that Duterte and Bichara support her candidacy.
She had earlier said she was asked by the President and supporters of her husband to run as mayor of Daraga.
A former staff of Rep. Batocabe in Ako Bicol said although living a private life, Gertie has been in public service for several years. “Since congressional spouse siya at madaming charity works na siyang ginawa, kasama siyempre si Cong. Batocabe, so she has been into public service since noon pa man,” the staff said.
Rep. Batocabe and his police escort SPO2 Orlando Diaz were gunned down during a gift-giving for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in a remote village of Daraga last Dec. 22.
Baldo was tagged as the mastermind in the killing of Batocabe and Diaz a whistleblower and was arrested by the police for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosive during a raid at his residence in Barangay Tagas, Daraga. (Niño Luces)