CEBU CITY — Some of the top candidates fielded by Senator Manny Pacquiao in Cebu withdrew their candidacies on Monday, a day after he visited the province for a series of events here.
Probinsya Muna Development Initiatives (PROMDI) Party, where Pacquiao ran for President, has asked their gubernatorial candidate Martin Mari Lozada to withdraw his bid without any substitution.
The gubernatorial race in Cebu is now down to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, former Tourism secretary Ace Durano, and independent candidate Nito Magnanao.
On the other hand, PROMDI’s Antonio Pono, who ran for representative of Cebu’s third district, has also withdrawn from the race. This leaves incumbent Rep. Pablo John Garcia without any opponent in the 2022 polls.
Substitution scheme as political strategy is not solely done in national posts.
Even in Cebu Province, several surprise candidates showed up at the local Commission on Elections office on Monday.
Last Friday, November 12, Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas withdrew his congressional bid and instead sought reelection, replacing his wife Rhea who was supposed to be running for mayor.
Gullas’ wife instead will be running for a congressional seat in the first district of Cebu.
In Cebu City, former Mayor Tomas Osmeña dropped out of the congressional race and was replaced by the son of incumbent Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa of Cebu City south district.
Osmeña will no longer be seeking an elective post. His wife Margot, however, is running for mayor of Cebu City against Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.