Fariñas seeks to retain position as Ilocos Norte first district representative

Veteran Ilocos Norte politician Rudy Fariñas, (standing in green shirt), accompanied his daughter Ria on Thursday in filing her certificate of candidacy as she seeks reelection as first district representative of the province. (Photo by John Michael Mugas)

LAOAG CITY—The race to the congressional seat for the first district of Ilocos Norte province is heating up as Ria Fariñas, the daughter of veteran Ilocos Norte politician Rudy Fariñas, formalized her bid for reelection when she filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) on Thursday, Oct. 7

To retain her position, Ria needs to face Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, who also filed his candidacy on Thursday. Sandro is the eldest son of Bongbong Marcos.

Ria is running under the ruling PDP-Laban, while Sandro is under the helm of the Nacionalista Party.

Speaking to local reporters, Ria said that she would not back out of the race even though her opponent belongs to a dominant political family.

Ria’s brother, Rodolfo Christian, also filed his COC on Thursday for reelection as the first district provincial board member.

In the capital city of Laoag, former mayor Chevylle Fariñas also filed her COC on Thursday as she seeks to reclaim the mayoralty seat. She would be up against incumbent mayor Michael Marcos-Keon and vice mayor Vicentito “Toto” Lazo.