STO. TOMAS, Batangas — Mayor Edna Sanchez of this town has fielded a brother-in-law of her late husband and former Batangas Governor Armando Sanchez to take her place and run for mayor in the May 10 elections. The lady mayor, who was supposed to seek reelection, is now running for governor in place of her husband who died last week. Monday, she endorsed her husband’s brother-in-law, Renato “Atong” Federico, as her substitute in the mayoral race. Federico, 64, who once served as barangay chairman and town councilor, is the husband of the late former governor’s second sister. (Lyka Manalo)

Jealous woman kills lover

CAINTA Rizal — A 28-year-old man was stabbed to death by his jealous live-in partner last Friday inside their house in Barangay Sto. Niño, here, after she accused him of having another woman. Superintendent Nereo Torrecampo, chief of police, identified the fatality as Joseph Rodel Royo of Renea Compound, said village. His live-in partner and assailant, Armienda Frias, 22, surrendered to police and yielded the blood-stained fan knife she used in the stabbing. Police said Frias confronted Royo around 11 p.m. and asked him to admit that he was being unfaithful to her. When Royo denied her accusation, Frias went into the kitchen and came back with the knife which she used in stabbing the victim repeatedly. Neighbors took Royo to the Bagong Cainta Hospital where he died shortly, while being treated. (Madelynne Dominguez)

Dad's 2 armed escorts jailed

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — Two security guards escorting of an independent vice mayoral candidate, here, were arrested over the weekend for possession of firearms inside the city’s police station. Superintendent Raul Bargamento, chief of police, identified the two as Danilo N. Regalado, of B-9, L21 Rizal, Village Subd., Barangay Paciano, here; and Reynaldo Raga, 38, of Mahogany Villas, Barangay Looc, here. The suspects were escorting Dyan Valle Espiridion, an independent candidate for vice mayor when they went to the Calamba City Police Station at 3:30 p.m. Saturday to campaign. Upon seeing that the two escorts were armed, Bargamento checked with Commission on Elections (Comelec) if they had the proper firearms certification. Since they did not, the two were arrested and their 9mm pistols seized. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

B.P.A.T. volunteers to watch polls

CAMP GENERAL ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan — Some 2,000 members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPAT) in this province were given a send-off ceremony at this camp last weekend. Senior Supt. Fernando S. Villanueva, acting Bulacan police director, said the BPAT, composed of village watchmen (barangay tanod), non-government organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders, will reinforce police and soldiers rendering election duties to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the elections in this province. Present during the send-off were Bulacan Provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) Supervisor Sabino C. Mejarito, Rev. Fr. Dennis Espejos of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Lt. Col. Jesus Sarsagat, representing the military; and other education and municipal officials. (Freddie C.Velez)