With Duterte’s push, Batocabe widow ‘ready’ to run for Daraga mayor

MANILA, Philippines — The wife of slain Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe on Friday said she is ready to run for Daraga mayor because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “help and encouragement.”

In a Facebook post on Friday, Gertrudes “Gertie” Duran-Batocabe shared her photo with the President and other government officials in Malacañang

“Thank you, Mr. President for all the help and encouragement. Yes, ready to be a #partnerforchange for our hometown of Daraga,” Gertrudes wrote.

https://www.facebook.com/gertie.batocabe/posts/10217986789091972

Gertrudes said she had a “fruitful meeting” with Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go.

“It was a very fruitful meeting with DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, and SAP Bong Go regarding tourism, local governance and security,” she said.

Rodel Batocable and his police escort were shot dead in December 2018 after a gift-giving event at a covered court in Barangay Burgos, Daraga. He was running for mayor of Daraga town in the 2019 elections.

READ: Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, police escort killed in Albay

Gertrudes previously said Duterte pushed her to take her husband’s place as the candidate for Daraga mayor.

“Last night, the president no less asked me to run in his place, to not let his death go in vain,” Gertrudes said. /ee

READ: Batocabe widow: I am being asked to run in my husband’s place