2 of Noynoy’s 4 rivals withdraw from race

TARLAC CITY — Two candidates challenging the re-election of Tarlac second district Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III have withdrawn from the race, leaving the only son of former President Corazon Aquino with two contenders.

The first to abandon his candidacy was Rolly Bulatao, of the opposition Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Bulatao’s congressional bid earlier got support from the opposition alliance Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) of action star-turned-presidential aspirant Fernando Poe Jr., which counts the PDP-Laban as one of its member-parties.

Also quitting from the congressional race was businessman Josefino Razon, who filed his certificate of candidacy under the Sama-Sama Tarlac (SST) party which is allied with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

No substitute candidates were named in place of Bulatao and Razon.

The KNP has emerged here as a "strong third political force," although it is only in this city where it was able to put up a full slate, led by former mayor Gelacio Manalang who is challenging the re-election of Mayor Genaro Mendoza of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party.

The NPC-SST remains to be the dominant political party in this home-province of former Ambassador Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco.

Noynoy’s two remaining challengers in his bid for a third and last term are veteran journalist Eduardo Caymo, of the Isang Bansa, Isang Diwa, a Marcos loyalists’ party, and a certain Jorge de los Reyes, an independent candidate.

Meanwhile, the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) party, which former Tarlac Rep. Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr., Noynoy’s uncle and Danding’s cousin, founded, substituted its only two candidates for the provincial board.

Severa Cuchapin, wife of former Paniqui mayor Cesar Cuchapin, replaced Kampi candidate Polly Manansala, while Amanda Antonio took over the candidacy of Lucia Manuel.