Tanauan City vice mayor succeeds slain mayor Halili

Vice Mayor Jhoanna Corona-Villamor has officially taken over the helm of Tanauan City following the brutal killing of Mayor Antonio Halili, who was shot during the flag raising ceremony at the city hall grounds.

Department of the Interior and Local Government spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya on Tuesday said Villamor took her oath on Monday, July 2 which was administered by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas.

The uncle of Villamor, Tanuan City first councilor Benedicto "Ben" Corona will fill in the vacated position of the vice mayor.

The Section 44 of the Republic Act 7160 states: "If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the governor or mayor, the vice-governor or vice-mayor concerned shall become the governor or mayor."

"If a permanent vacancy occurs in the offices of the governor, vice governor, mayor or vice mayor, the highest ranking Sanggunian member or, in case of his permanent inability, the second highest ranking Sanggunian member, shall become the governor, vice governor, mayor or vice mayor, as the case may be," it said.

"Subsequent vacancies in the said office shall be filled automatically by the other sanggunian members according to their ranking as defined herein," it further states.

Villamor, who is a lawyer by profession, served as a councilor from 2010 to 2013 before she was elected as vice mayor. The 30-year-old Villamor is the daughter of former Tanauan mayor and Batangas 3rd district provincial board member Alfredo "Fred" Corona.

Alfredo and Benedicto are cousins of the late former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Villamor was standing beside Halili when he was shot in his chest during the flag raising ceremony on Monday morning.

Halili, a mayor since 2013, was known for his hard stance against illegal drugs, even having drug suspects parade in public in his "Walk of Shame" campaign.

However, he has been linked to illegal drugs himself, with President Rodrigo Duterte saying that his killing may have been due to his alleged involvement in illegal drug trade. — RSJ, GMA News