Batocabe widow takes slain husband’s place in Daraga mayoral race

DARAGA, Albay—Gertrudes “Gertie” Batocabe, the wife of slain Ako Bicol (AKB) Rep. Rodel Batocabe, will replace her husband in the upcoming mayoral race in Daraga town.

Dennis Batocabe, AKB administrator and brother of the slain lawmaker, said in an interview Thursday that the members of the Batocabe and Duran clans decided to field Gertie as the official replacement candidate, taking the place of her husband Rodel who was gunned down during a gift-giving event in Barangay (village) Burgos in Daraga Dec. 22 last year.

Rodel was to run for mayor of Daraga in the upcoming May polls at the time of his death.

“We will officially declare her (Gertie) as the replacement soon after she arrives home in time for the 40th day after the death of her husband,” Dennis said.

When asked how the replacement process would affect the upcoming local election, Dennis said Gertie being named as Rodel’s replacement would mean “a vote for Rodel or [the name] Batocabe will be a vote for Gertie. Anybody who votes in the name of Rodel would be counted.”

Dennis said they would coordinate with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for further guidance on what election-related policies and measures would be followed under the circumstances.

Just this Wednesday, Comelec placed Daraga under its control, citing intense political rivalries that could affect the peace and order situation in the coming May elections.

The Comelec decision came after police investigations revealed that the killing of Rodel was politically motivated./lzb