Uy has announced his interest to challenge Tan if there would be recall election in the province. Last January, the Commission on Elections found the recall petition against Tan and her younger sibling, Vice Governor James Tan, to be sufficient in form and substance, paving the way for the conduct of the recall elections.


The Comelec, however, has yet to set a date for possible recall elections.


Uy was shot by a lone gunman in Hinabangan town, also in Samar, last April 30 at around 9:30 p.m. He died while being treated at the Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban City at around 1:20 a.m. on May 1. 


Gov. Tan reiterated her complete cooperation to any and all investigations related to the killing of Uy.


“Our conscience is clear. We have nothing to do with that incident. In fact, we have even entertained the thought of conducting our investigation and offering reward money just to hasten the investigation,” Tan said.


However, upon the advice of their advisers, they forego the plan on risk that they might be misinterpreted by the family of the late mayor, she said.


Upon the approval of the President, a cash reward of P1 million was put up by Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government for those who could identify the perpetrators, leading to their arrest. 


Tan, who has beef up her own security detail, admitted that the incident has affected her movement as she has cancelled some of her appointments in visiting remote and crowded places. She, however, assured the people of Samar that she would continue her work for the province.


“We have to move on. This incident would come to pass and I hope whoever was responsible for the killing of Mayor Uy would be accurately identified,” Tan said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

Samar gov hurt by PNoy’s statement that Calbayog mayor’s killing was due to recall election