Samar mayor killed in helicopter crash tops board race

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Philippines – San Roque mayor Andre Abalon who died in a helicopter crash on the day of the elections topped the race for the provincial board seat.

Abalon, of the National Unity Party (NUP), garnered 41,678 votes, said to be the highest number of votes obtained by an aspirant for the board seat.

Abalon died when the chopper that was supposed to transport him and two other candidates for board members crashed in Barangay Rawis, Laoang town.

Of the four passengers, including the pilot, Abalon suffered the most injury when he tried to jump off the helicopter. He died six days later in a hospital in Cebu City.

Abalon and the other poll winners in the province were proclaimed by the provincial board of canvassers on Thursday.

Aside from him, other board members-elect for the second district are Fawa Batula, Jack Lagrimas, and Dex Galit of LP and Gina Ong of NUP.