Marino party-list’s 2nd nominee resigns

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Antonio Lopez, the second nominee of Marino party-list, has resigned from his post and the group due to “personal reasons,” the party representing the sea-based sector confirmed Wednesday.

Marino, which won two seats in the May 2019 elections, said the irrevocable resignation of Lopez was effective immediately.

“As his resignation is for personal reasons, it is best that we wait for him to make a statement on the matter when he is ready. We regret to see him go, but we understand that the decision is his to make,” the party-list said in a statement.

The group also said they would not comment further on the issue until legal processes for Lopez’s substitution have been resolved.

Lopez previously worked with Ulticon Builders, Inc. (UBI) which is owned by the father of Marino’s first nominee, Rep. Carlo Lisandro Gonzalez. Lopez handles business development at Udenna Corporation, owned by Davao businessman Dennis Uy, an ally of the Dutertes. /je