The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Jagna is set to convene and select a candidate who will replace the party’s vice-mayoral bet, Mayor Fortunato “Bicbic” Abrenilla who was laid to rest on Saturday.

According to PDP-Laban’s mayoral candidate, acting Mayor Bonifacio Vertudes, Jr., the party is first considering relatives of Abrenilla to take over the late mayor’s candidacy.

“Meetingan pa og naa ba’y interested from the family,” said Vertudes.

No exact date for the meeting has been set however.

Based on Comelec rules, an eligible individual can replace a dead candidate given that both have the same family name.

The party has until noon of Election Day in May to choose Abrenilla’s replacement.

Vertudes, meanwhile, admitted that Abrenilla’s death would “slightly” affect the party’s bid but noted that their group remained formidable.

“Although naa gyu’y epekto gamay, pero we have to move on kay ang-ang man nang magpaluya-luya. Mo-move-on gyud…mobarog,” said Vertudes.

Vertudes described Abrenilla as a “good” person who has helped many residents of the town throughout the course of his three-term service as mayor.

“Maajuhon baya to si mayor [Abrenilla], daghang tawo…among gi-consider si mayor nga importante jud sa grupo,” he added.

Abrenilla who died of cardiac arrest on January 14, 2019 was laid to rest in Jagna on Saturday.

According to PO3 Jason Lurden, around 1,000 of Abrenilla’s supporters and relatives paid their last respects to the departed mayor during the burial rites. (Rey Tutas)