Daraga mayor ordered replaced

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo, the principal suspect in the killing of Ako Bicol congressman Rodel Batocabe and his police escort last December, was ordered replaced by his vice mayor.

The regional Commission on Elections (Comelec) made the announcement yesterday, saying incumbent vice mayor Victor Perete will assume the mayoral post as ordered by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Romeo Serrano, Comelec-Bicol assistant regional director and Albay election supervisor, said Baldo was evaluated as “temporarily incapacitated” by the DILG.

The DILG took into consideration the criminal case filed against Baldo by the regional police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“Since the DILG order came out at past 4 p.m. already on Friday, so the formal assumption of office as mayor of Vice Mayor Perete would just be implemented on Monday,” Serrano said.

Although no specific mention as to who would assume as Daraga vice mayor following Perete’s appointment, by operation of law, the topnotcher councilor Junjie Jaucian would become the acting vice mayor.

Baldo is under the custody of the Bicol CIDG following his arrest for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, as well as being implicated in the murders of Batocabe and SPO1 Orlando Diaz.

Baldo is seeking reelection in the mayoralty race with Batocabe as his rival in the May 13 local elections.

CIDG-Bicol chief Arnold Ardiente said Baldo would remain in their custody while in a hospital and waiting for the resolution of the prosecutor’s office of the complaints.

Ardiente said the Albay Prosecutior’s Office had granted Baldo’s request for a preliminary investigation on the complaints of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Baldo’s spokesman Eugene Sangil said the mayor had submitted to the order to temporarily vacate the mayoral post.

“In fact, the mayor welcomes the assumption order. He believes he could focus more on his legal battle now that he is no longer discharging his duties as chief executive of Daraga,” Sangil said. 

The Albay Prosecutor’s Office has yet to resolve all the complaints filed against Baldo and his co-accused.