MANILA—Besides criminal charges, Daraga, Albay town mayor Carlwyn Baldo will also face administrative cases in connection with the killing of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe.

Interior Chief Eduardo Año on Friday said Baldo, tagged by police as the "mastermind" behind the murder, would be slapped with administrative cases at the Office of the Ombudsman.

"Administrative cases are also being filed at the Ombudsman so we can request immediately the preventive suspension of the mayor," Año said in a press briefing.

• PNP tags Daraga mayor as Batocabe slay mastermind

While not detailing the charges, Año said these will likely deal with allegations of abuse of power and misconduct.

Baldo, seeking re-election, has been accused of hiring gunmen to kill Batocabe for P5 million. He, however, has denied the allegations.

"I assert my innocence. Let us not forget that while I’m being used as convenient scapegoat, those who are truly responsible for the crime remain free and blameless," Baldo said on Thursday.

• Daraga mayor asserts innocence in Batocabe slay

Murder charges have been filed against Baldo and other gunmen.

Batocabe was shot dead 3 days before Christmas after he attended a gift-giving event in Daraga, Albay, where he was to challenge Baldo for the mayoralty.

The lawmaker's bodyguard was also killed in the incident, while several senior citizens present during the program were wounded.

Henry Yuson, the supposed main gunman in the killing of Batocabe, has surrendered to authorities. He has also tagged Baldo as the mastermind behind the killing.