Abra lawmaker, La Union gov withdraw reelection bid

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines —  For still unclear reasons, Abra Rep. Joseph Bernos and La Union Gov. Francisco Ortega have withdrawn their bid for reelection.

Bernos, chairman of the House committee on games and amusement, withdrew his certificate of candidacy (COC) yesterday. He said his wife Menchie, mayor of La Paz town, would run on his behalf.

Bernos refused to bare his political plans, saying he is waiting for developments in the national scene. He cited the  candidacies of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The congressman had led a campaign for a Marcos-Carpio tandem.

Meanwhile, Ortega withdrew his COC on Tuesday.

His daughter, provincial board member Raphaela Veronica Ortega-David, will instead run for governor.

Ortega and David both filed their COC on Oct. 1.

It is not yet clear if Ortega will seek another local post. Speculations are rife that he will run for a lower post through substitution on Monday.

In Pangasinan, former vice governor Ranjit Shahani filed his COC yesterday as a substitute candidate for board member in the sixth district.

Provincial election supervisor Marino Salas said Shahani substituted for Antonio Febre under the Lakas-CMD party.

Shahani is the son of the late senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, sister of former president Fidel Ramos.

In Cebu, Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas withdrew his candidacy for representative of the first district of Cebu. He filed a new COC for reelection.

Gullas’ wife Rhea withdrew her mayoral bid. She will instead substitute for her husband in seeking the congressional seat.

Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña withdrew his COC as representative of the second district of Cebu to give way to BG Rodrigo Abellanosa, whose father Rodrigo is the incumbent congressman.

Sources said Osmeña decided not to run to focus on campaigning for their party bets. – Eva Visperas, Caecent Magsumbol, Le Phyllis Antojado