Keon withdraws Laoag mayoral bid

LAOAG CITY, Philippines – Saying he wants to preserve the unity of the Marcos family, former Ilocos Norte governor Michael Keon withdrew his candidacy for city mayor here yesterday.

City election officer John Paul Martin said Keon, accompanied by a group of supporters, came to his office to withdraw his candidacy.

“It’s better not to pursue my candidacy than let it be the cause of misunderstanding and divisiveness in the Marcos family,” he said.

Keon’s cousin Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos earlier announced her support for the candidacy of Keon’s rival, Shevyll Fariñas, wife of Laoag Mayor Michael Fariñas.

With Keon out of the race, the  mayoral race is between Shevyll  and her uncle-in-law Roger Fariñas, a former mayor of this city.