FOLLOWING the murder of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) has revoked its nomination and support for Mayor Carlwyn G. Baldo as the party’s official candidate in the Daraga town, Albay, mayoralty race.
The political party made a statement after the Philippine National Police (PNP) tagged Baldo as the alleged mastermind in the killing of Batocabe and his security aide, SPO1 Orlando Diaz in Daraga, Albay, last December 22.
The national police already filed double murder and frustrated murder charges against Baldo and his alleged cohorts in Albay.
In a letter dated January 3, Lakas-CMD Executive Director Bautista Corpin Jr. informed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Law Department that the party is withdrawing its Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (Cona) for Baldo.
“Please be informed that Lakas-CMD is revoking the Cona issued to Mr. Baldo. Hence, Mayor Baldo is no longer the official candidate of Lakas-CMD for the position of Mayor of Daraga,” Corpin, a lawyer, told Comelec Law Department Director Maria Norina T. Casingal.
“After deliberations, Lakas-CMD has decided to revoke the nomination of Mayor Baldo as the official candidate of the party,” Lakas-CMD added.
Copies of Corpin’s letter were also sent to the Provincial Election Supervisor and Municipal Election Officer of Albay and Daraga, respectively.
“Thus, Lakas-CMD strongly condemns the killings of Batocabe and his security aide,” the Lakas-CMD added. “Violence in any form and for whatever reason has no place in our democratic institutions.”