Ilocos Norte deal falls apart, sets Fariñas-Marcos showdown

Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

LAOAG CITY — A showdown between the Marcos and Fariñas families that was not supposed to take place is on.

On Thursday, Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas filed his candidacy for Ilocos Norte governor, substituting for Jesus Arimboyutan, a former Laoag village chief, after Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos dropped her gubernatorial bid in favor of her grandson, Matthew Joseph Manotoc.

A former House majority leader, Fariñas earlier declared he would retire from politics but changed his mind, claiming the Marcos camp did not fulfill a condition he set for leaving politics.

Fariñas said he was assured that no Marcos family member would run against any of his relatives in the 2019 elections.

But former Ilocos Norte Gov. Michael Marcos Keon filed his candidacy against reelectionist Laoag Mayor Chevylle Fariñas on Nov. 29, the last day for substitution of candidates.

Deal falls apart

Keon replaced Aldrick Peralta, who was running for mayor under the Nacionalista Party (NP).

The Marcos and Fariñas families used to be allies but had a falling out after Fariñas started a House investigation into Gov. Imee Marcos’ expenditures using the province’s share from tobacco excise taxes.

Fariñas said he was assured by Imee’s brother, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., that the arrangement was intact until Nov. 26.

Part of the deal was to allow Fariñas’ daughter, provincial Board Member Ma. Christina Fariñas, to run unopposed in the first district of the province.

The deal also called for a member of the Marcos family to run unopposed for governor.

Imelda Marcos, former first lady, was running for governor while her daughter and Matthew’s mother, Imee, was running for senator.

All in the family

But Imelda withdrew from the race on Thursday. Matthew, a provincial board member, withdrew as candidate for vice governor and filed his candidacy for governor as his grandmother’s substitute.

At 5 p.m. on Thursday, Farinas, accompanied by his daughter, showed up at the Ilocos Norte election office to file his candidacy, triggering some tension.

“I am for peaceful elections in the province but by force of circumstance, I [now] have to run. Matthew was supposed to run unopposed but they did not fulfill their promise,” Fariñas said.

Imelda Marcos has been convicted of seven counts of graft by the Sandiganbayan in connection with dollar salting complaints filed 27 years ago.

More dynasties

Manotoc said his grandmother’s conviction was not her reason for leaving the race. “My mom (Imee) just wanted me to continue the programs and projects she started for the province,” he said.

In Ilocos Sur province, reelectionist Rep. Eric Singson withdrew from the race in favor of his daughter, Kristine Singson-Meehan. She will run against Tagudin Councilor Arturo Chua.

In Isabela province, Rep. Napoleon Dy mended fences with his brother and withdrew his gubernatorial bid.

“Our family is more important than politics,” Dy said as he was joined by his brothers, incumbent Gov. Faustino Dy III, former Gov. Faustino Dy Jr., former Cauayan City Mayor Caesar Dy and businessman Alexander Dy.

His withdrawal has left former governor, broadcaster Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca, without a running mate as she tangles with Faustino Dy III for the post of vice governor.

Napoleon Dy had planned to run against Rep. Rodolfo Albano III.

Other changes

In Santiago City, former Mayor Amelita Navarro dropped her bid for a congressional seat in Isabela’s fourth district, and opted to run for mayor instead.

She was the substitute for Supersonic Claudio, a former barangay chair who was running under the local coalition slate of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago and NP.

Navarro, 74, will run against reelectionist Mayor Joseph Tan of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan.

In Nueva Ecija province, three members of the influential Umali family have joined the midterm elections, substituting for allies during the Thursday deadline.

Former Cabanatuan City Vice Mayor Emmanuel Antonio Umali is running for vice governor, replacing Peñaranda Mayor Ferdinand Abesamis. —Reports from Leilanie Adriano, Villamor Visaya Jr., Armand Galang and Leoncio Balbin