Deceased candidate’s brother joins congressional race in Batangas

BATANGAS CITY, Philippines—A 41-year-old businessman has officially substituted for his deceased brother in the race for representation of the second congressional district of Batangas in the House of Representatives.

Danilo ‘Danber’ Berberabe filed his certificate of substitution at the provincial office of Commission on Elections on Friday in place of his brother Godofredo ‘Jun’ Berberabe Jr., who passed away on March 3 after a heart attack.

Berberabe, 41, is the owner of Danber Construction and a neophyte politician.

Provincial elections supervisor Marvin Alcantara said that the Comelec accepted the substitution of Danber because he was nominated and accepted by the United Nationalist Alliance as the party’s official candidate for congressman in the 2nd District of Batangas  in the May elections.

Alcantara said the UNA certificate of acceptance was signed and released April 2, 2013.

Danber said his family made the decision that he should replace Godofredo because their supporters and some leaders were looking for someone who would pursue his brother’s advocacy of poverty alleviation.

It is Danber’s first time to enter politics but he used to accompany Godofredo in his campaign.