Fariñas challenges Marcos in Ilocos gubernatorial race

LAOAG CITY — Outgoing Laoag City Mayor Roger Farinas announced the other day he is challenging the re-election bid of Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in the May polls.

The mayor is a scion of the prominent Fariñas family here headed by former governor and congressman Rodolfo Fariñas.

Formerly close buddies, Rodolfo and Bongbong are now bitter critics of each other.

Roger, availing of the Comelec substitution rule, replaced his son Raffy, who had withdrawn his certificate of candidacy. He is running under the administration Lakas-CMD party and will support President Arroyo.

Bongbong, on the other hand, is running under his late father’s KBL party, and is supporting movie actor Fernando Poe Jr.

The Fariñas ticket includes former Vice Gov. Mariano Nalupta Jr., who is running for vice governor; former Batac Mayor Elena Nalupta, former board member Vic Aguilar and reelectionist board member Ameurfina Salenda, all running as board members.

Hotel owner Nonong Ablan, cousin of reelectionist congressman Roque Ablan Jr. is reportedly being wooed to join the provincial board ticket, sources said.

Rep. Ablan is running under Bongbong’s ticket. — Teddy Molina