Iloilo solon withdraws re-election bid for 2019 polls

ILOILO CITY -- Iloilo 1st District Rep. Richard Garin is no longer seeking reelection to give way to his wife, former health secretary Janette Garin’s bid.

Garin withdrew his certificate of candidacy (COC) Thursday afternoon, the last day of substitution set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In an interview, Garin said his decision to withdraw is a “consensus of the family.”

It can be recalled that three members of the Garin family filed their COCs for the same position during the Oct. 11-17 filing.

Richard, seeking his last term as congressman, filed his COC on Oct. 11 while his wife, Janette, and his father, incumbent Guimbal Mayor Oscar Garin, filed their COCs on October 17.

Richard filed under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party, his wife under the Nacionalista Party, and his father as an independent candidate.

“We made a promise that in or before November, there should only be one Garin who will continue and my father first withdrew, then I followed,” he said.

Janette’s rival is former Miag-ao town mayor Gerardo Flores.

Meanwhile, Richard clarified that his withdrawal does not mean that he will stop serving the public.

“I will still be active and even be more active in public service because you can be a public servant even without a position,” he said.

He is planning to retire from politics at the age of 65. He thanked the public, especially from the 1st District, for the full trust and confidence given to him. (PNA)

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http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1055420
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