Hugpong’s bet for board member of Davao Occidental dies

DAVAO CITY — A provincial board member of Davao Occidental died in a hospital in this city on Thursday.

Provincial Board Member Alberto Baliota I, who was seeking reelection on May 13 under the Hugpong ng Pagbabagao (HNP), died around 5:30 a.m. on May 8, at the Davao Doctor’s Hospital in Davao City, his eldest son Carlito said on Friday, May 10.

Carlito, who is running for municipal councilor in their hometown Malita, declined to say what was the cause of his father’s demise.

But Carlito’s younger sister, Maria Consuelo, said her father succumbed to a liver-related illness a day after he was brought to the hospital for treatment.

Alberto I, 60, also served as a one-term board member in Davao del Sur’s second district, which later became the province of Davao Occidental.

His death came as a surprise to officials in the province as he was still joining sorties in the early parts of the campaign period, said Marivic Hubac, special assistant to Davao Occidental Gov. Claude Bautista.

She said Governor Bautista has condoled with the bereaved family of Baliota.

Baliota’ wake is at the St. Peter Funeral Chapel in Barangay Poblacion of Malita, according to Maria Consuelo.

Burial has been set for May 17 at 1 p.m. at the family’s private plot in Barangay Bolila of the town. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)