Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” Ortega III and his daughter, Raphaela Veronica Ortega-David, filed their certificates of candidacy on Oct 1. Both withdrew their COCs on Tuesday, Nov. 9. (Photo courtesy of Gov. Ortega’s Facebook page.)
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—La Union Gov. Francisco “Pacoy” Ortega III on Tuesday withdrew his candidacy for reelection, according to the provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec).
His daughter, Raphaela Veronica Ortega-David, will substitute for the governor. David withdrew her candidacy for provincial board member in the province’s first district.
Ortega and David filed their certificates of candidacy for local elective posts on Oct 1.
It was not clear whether Ortega would seek another local post next year.
Ortega served as governor in 2016 when he succeeded his father, three-term governor Manuel Ortega, and was reelected in 2019.