Rodolfo Fariñas to run vs Imelda Marcos grandson for Ilocos Norte governor

MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said yesterday he decided to run for governor of the province because the Marcoses broke their peace deal.

Fariñas said under the agreement he had with former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he would not run for governor provided the Marcoses would not field candidates against his daughter Ria, who is seeking to replace him as representative of the first district, and Laoag Mayor Chevylle Fariñas, wife of his late nephew Michael, a former vice mayor.

However, Fariñas said Ryan Remigio, whom he beat in the congressional race in 2016, filed his certificate of candidacy against Ria while Michael Keon, a cousin of the former senator, decided at the last minute to run against Chevylle.

“They were going to withdraw the opponent of Ria, but Keon’s running against Chevylle violates our peace agreement,” Fariñas said.

He said Marcos assured him on Thursday that he would do his best to convince Keon to withdraw.

Fariñas said he also told Marcos that he would withdraw his candidacy for governor if Keon backs out from the race.

Fariñas, who was governor of Ilocos Norte from 1988 to 1998, will run against Matthew Manotoc, son of outgoing Gov. Imee Marcos.

Matthew substituted for his grandmother, second district Rep. and former first lady Imelda Marcos, who withdrew her candidacy for governor.

More bets withdraw

Several other candidates for governor withdrew from the race on the last day of substitution of candidates on Thursday.

Isabela Rep. Napoleon Dy backed out of the gubernatorial race after setting aside his political differences with his brother Faustino II, the outgoing governor.

With Dy’s decision, Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, who is seeking the gubernatorial post with Faustino as his vice governor, is running unopposed.

Dy’s former runningmate, former governor Grace Padaca, is running alone.

“My family is more important than politics,” Dy said. 

In Cagayan, Tuguegarao City Association of Barangay chairman Larry Ting also withdrew his candidacy for governor. He was replaced by his brother third district Rep. Randolph Ting.

In Candon City, House Deputy Speaker Eric Singson withdrew his bid for reelection in the second district of Ilocos Sur. He was replaced by his daughter, Kristine Singson-Meehan.

In Bulacan, former councilor Teddy Natividad is challenging the gubernatorial bid of his brother Christian, the mayor of Malolos.

Natividad substituted for Josephine Banawan as gubernatorial candidate of the Lakas-Christiam Muslim Democrats. – With Raymund Catindig, Artemio Dumlao, Ramon Efren Lazaro