Fariñas backs Imee Marcos’ Senate bid

MANILA, Philippines — After withdrawing from the gubernatorial race, Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas threw his support behind the senatorial bid of Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.

“I believe what she did is wrong, but it’s all out of our hands already, the committee has made its report now, we have a governor, I was a governor, one thing to serve the country as senator, I will have to support her because ka-probinsya ko eh,” Fariñas said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Friday.

Fariñas said this when asked if he would still support the candidacy of Marcos despite the fact that he, among others, initiated an inquiry on alleged misuse of Ilocos Norte’s share of tobacco excise taxes.

READ: Ilocos Norte deal falls apart, sets Fariñas-Marcos showdown

The House committee on good government and public accountability later recommended the filing of administrative and criminal cases against officials and employees of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte who are involved in the alleged anomalous purchase of 110 units of Foton minicabs.

READ: House seeks graft charges vs Imee over tobacco tax

“She has not been proven guilty, alangan namang hindi ko isu-support, eh ka-lugar…I support, province-mate ko eh,” he added.

This comes four days after Fariñas backed out from the gubernatorial race in Ilocos Norte in a bid to retire from politics.

READ: Rudy Fariñas withdraws Ilocos bid; says he is retiring

His withdrawal leaves the son of Marcos, Matthew Marcos Manotoc, unopposed in the May 13 election. He was a board member of Ilocos Norte’s 2nd district.

Manotoc replaced convicted Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos when she canceled her gubernatorial bid last November 2018. /je