Slain Negros board member replaced

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The slain board member of Negros Occidental has been officially replaced in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan by a former board member.

The late Renato Malabor of the fifth district was replaced by Angelito Colmenares in a ceremony on Wednesday.

Malabor was shot dead along with his security escort by a lone assailant outside a cockpit at his hometown in Isabela town on June 28.

Colmenares, who has served the board 10 years ago and is the village chief of Barangay Tugis in Hinigaran town, was sworn into office by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. 

The ceremony was witnessed by Colmenares’ wife, Mary Ann, their son Don Angelo, Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and other board members.

Colmenares was nominated by his party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition, and his appointment was signed by President Aquino recently. 

He has also filed his certificate of candidacy for board member in the 2016 elections.

Colmenares said he would attend the regular session next week and is expected to assume chairmanship of the committees that Malabor headed.

Meanwhile, authorities have yet to identify the mastermind in the killing of Malabor and his bodyguard Leody Jumilla.