Daraga vice mayor assumes mayoral post as Baldo surrenders

LEGAZPI CITY – Daraga, Albay Vice Mayor Victor Perete has assumed the mayoral post Friday afternoon as ordered by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) following the surrender and detention of Mayor Carlwyn Baldo at the Legazpi City jail.

Baldo, who is being linked to the killing of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his security escort SPO2 Orlando Diaz on December 22 last year, surrendered to authorities Friday morning.

Baldo’s candidacy as Daraga mayor was being challenged by Batocabe.

The order signed on Friday by Anthony Nuyda, DILG regional director, cited that “after due deliberation by the joint committee task force of the Commission on Elections and the DILG, it has found no impediments to the implementation of the rule on succession under the provision of the Local Government Code.”

The order cited that in view of the detention of Baldo which renders him temporarily incapacitated to perform the duties of his office, “Perete, being the Vice Mayor, and  upon receipt of this memorandum order may already assume as Acting Mayor of the town in accordance with Sec. 46 of  RA (Republic Act) 7160.”

Perete is also running as Daraga mayor against Baldo and Batocabe’s widow, Gertrudes.

Perete, upon receipt of the order was directed to coordinate with the DILG provincial office and the municipal chief of office for the smooth and effective implementation of his assumption as Daraga mayor. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)