Albano widow offered town council seat

ILAGAN, Isabela — The 45-year-old widow of slain Ilagan Mayor Delfinito Albano was offered to fill a seat in the municipal council left vacant following his killing last week.

Albano will be laid to rest tomorrow with thousands of mourners from all over the region expected to pay their last respects to the slain official.

Newly sworn Vice Mayor Samuel Maddara said the mayor’s widow, Marites, was recommended by no less than Isabela fourth district Rep. Rodito Albano, son of Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Rodolfo Albano Jr., half-brother of the murdered mayor.

Maddara, who took over as vice mayor following the assumption of Vice Mayor Joemari Diaz into the mayoral post, said they see no problem in Albano’s widow filling the vacancy in the 10-member municipal council.

"There is no problem with us if she accepts it," said Maddara, who, together with Diaz, was Albano’s party mate in the Nationalist People’s Coalition of former Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco.

Albano’s remains will be transferred from his residence in Barangay Camalig here to the town’s community center for the last day of the wake today.

Philippine flags in government and private offices and schools have been at half-mast since the arrival of the remains of Albano, who was gunned down by three ski mask-wearing men in Quezon City last June 27.

The municipal council has passed four resolutions condemning Albano’s killing and appealing to authorities for a speedy investigation.

Maddara said separate resolutions were also passed, extending sympathy to Albano’s family and recognizing his "unparalleled accomplishments" and "sterling leadership" as mayor of this region’s biggest municipality. — Charlie Lagasca