Vilma Santos to postpone sorties after rival dies

Batangas Governor and re-electionist Vilma Santos-Recto will temporarily postpone her campaign sorties as a sign of respect for her rival Armand Sanchez who died on Tuesday. Recto, who made the announcement 11 days before the May 10 polls, said she could not stomach the thought of pursuing with her schedule while Sanchez's family is mourning. "Let's set aside politics. I don't know yet what my plans are but I have indefinitely suspended all my campaign sorties. I cannot imagine myself discussing politics with my constituents given this situation," Recto said in an interview with reporters at the Alabang Country Club. Sanchez, 57, passed away on Tuesday, a day after he suffered from heatstroke. The official cause of death was "brain hemorrhage," said Dr. Robert Magsino, president and medical director of Mary Mediatrix Medical Center in Lipa City. His remains now lie at his farm in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Recto said she is willing to give Sanchez — a former governor of the province — a funeral at the capitol if his family allows it. She has also given instructions that Philippine flags in all Batangas government offices be placed at half-staff. "He [Sanchez] deserves to be given this kind of respect because he has also served the people in the province," Santos said. Sanchez was a two-term mayor of Sto. Tomas (1998-2004) before becoming Batangas governor from 2004 and 2007. In 2007, he lost to Recto and is now running under the Nacionalista Party. In 2006, then-governor Sanchez escaped a bomb attack allegedly masterminded by Recto's brother-in-law — former vice governor Richard "Ricky" Recto. The accused has denied having a hand in the foiled assassination and remains at large after an arrest warrant was issued against him. Recto has repeatedly denied knowing the whereabouts of his brother-in-law. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV