Widow to replace deceased Batangas gubernatorial bet

(Updated 2:40 p.m.) The widow of deceased Batangas gubernatorial candidate Armando Sanchez (Nacionalista Party) announced Friday that she has decided to replace his husband in the race. Sto. Tomas, Batangas Mayor Edna Sanchez was emotional when she made the announcement at a press conference held at a covered court where the remains of her husband lie. “Mahirap pong desisyon ito dahil alam kong iiwanan ko ang Sto Tomas, na magagalit ang tao sa akin. Ipinaglaban nila ako, gusto nila ako. Pero alang-alang sa asawa ko nakita ko na nais niyang ibalik ang dangal ng Batangas kaya nandito ako para ipagpatuloy ang adhikain ng asawa ko," Sanchez said. Her husband died last Tuesday evening, a day after he was rushed to a hospital where he underwent a three-hour brain surgery and remained "semi-comatose." He collapsed while addressing supporters in a campaign sortie. The official cause of death was "brain hemorrhage," said Dr. Robert Magsino, president and medical director of Mary Mediatrix Medical Center in Lipa City. Sanchez, 57, died at 7:20 p.m. [See: Ex-Batangas gov dies a day after heatstroke] Mayor Sanchez's certificate of candidacy will be filed later in the day through a proxy. She will be proclaimed as official candidate by the coalition of NP-Nationalist People's Coalition-Lakas-Kampi at Lipa City’s plaza at 4 p.m. Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code allows for a substitute candidate in case an official candidate "dies, withdraws, or is disqualified for any cause" even until mid-day of election day. She made the announcement two days after officials from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that a replacement should come from the same party and is not seeking any other elective post. [See: Sanchez wife can't run on behalf of late husband — Comelec] Although Edna Sanchez is a member of NP, she is running for reelection as Santo Tomas mayor. She will be up against Osmundo Maldia Maligaya of the Liberal Party in the May polls. Sanchez’ camp expressed confidence that the Comelec will allow Edna to replace her husband. “Rest assured na hindi namin gagawin itong substitution ni Mayor Edna Sanchez bilang kandidato para gobernador ng Nacionalista Party kung hindi kami nananalig na ito po ay may matibay na batayan sa batas," Sanchez’ counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, said. In a phone interview with GMANews.TV, Topacio said some 41 lawyers were consulted on the matter and their conclusion was the widow’s candidacy is legally feasible. He, however, refused to say the provisions they will use to defend it before the Comelec. "That was just the opinion of the Comelec spokesperson. We are confident that our stand rests on solid footing…. We will just wait for anyone who will challenge our contention," he said. NP's Batangas congressional candidiate Luis Carlos 'Arsenic' Laurel was happy with Sanchez decision as he expressed hope that people's sympathy after the sudden demise of her husband will help her in the race. "It's hard to say if it will be positive or negative but we believed that the love and symphaty of the people will favor her," he told GMANews.TV He added that time is not on widow's side. The former governor died 12 days before the elections. "Wala nang panahon, she's not campaigning in the whole province dahil yung Sto Tomas lang ang focus niya but she is a very good public administrator, converting Sto Tomas into a progressive town," Laurel said. He added that Sanchez has the experience, personality and temperament to the province' governor. — Amita Legaspi/LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV