LP denies having Bigcas as member; alleged smuggler runs for governor

Filipino-American Lynard Allan Bigcas was caught middle of last year for having 25 high-end motorcycles, luxury cars in his house in Talakag, Bukidnon, and a warehouse in Cagayan de Oro. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JB DEVEZA

MANILA, Philippines—The ruling Liberal Party (LP) has denied it has a candidate running for the post of provincial governor of Bukidnon.

Secretary Neric Acosta, LP Bukidnon Chair, said in a statement that they “categorically affirm that Lynard Allan Bigcas of Talakag, Bukidnon is not a candidate of the LP for any position.”

“Bigcas, who is accused of being a big-time smuggler has never been a member of the Party and was never involved in local politics,” Acosta said in the statement released Wednesday.

Acosta said the LP national headquarters has never issued a Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (Cona) for any candidate of the said province.

“The LP will never accept candidates who have run afoul of the law and are of questionable character,” Acosta said.

Official of LP challenged Bigcas to show his Certificate of Candidacy and his Cona.

Senator Teofisto Guingona, who comes from Bukidnon, said that he doesn’t know Bigcas.

“This is a clear act of misrepresentation committed to mislead the public especially LP members and supporters,” Acosta said in the statement.