(Eagle News) — Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas has withdrawn his candidacy for governor in the province in the May 13 polls.
With his withdrawal from the race, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Senior Board Member Matthew Marcos Manotoc, son of outgoing Gov. Imee Marcos, is now unopposed.
In previous interviews with the media, Fariñas had said he had wanted to retire from politics after 39 years.
“In fact, I do not have a single campaign poster, nor my name is in our sample ballot. I’ve never even gone to the other district of our province,” he said.
Fariñas became a substitute after a deal between his family and the Marcos family fell through.
Under the deal, Fariñas’ daughter Ria and former First Lady Imelda Marcos would run unopposed in their respective positions.
Ria is now running against Ryan Remigio, an ally of the Marcoses, for the post of Ilocos Norte first district representative, while in Laoag, Michael Marcos Keon is running against incumbent mayor Chevylle Fariñas.
The former House majority floor leader wished Manotoc luck in his upcoming stint as governor of the province.
“I hope that given his youth and vigor, and that he has barely served the public in three years, he will serve the province excellently like I did,” he said.