Senator Edgardo Angara. FILE PHOTO
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO–Sen. Edgardo Angara withdrew Thursday from the gubernatorial race in Aurora, substituted instead by his younger brother, an official of the Commission on Elections said.
“It’s official. Mayor Arthur Angara of Baler has substituted for Senator Angara for governor,” Comelec supervisor Gilbert Almario confirmed in a Philippine Daily Inquirer interview by phone.
Mayor Angara, who is completing his third and final term, will challenge Gerardo Noveras, the incumbent vice governor.
Senator Angara did not answer text messages inquiring as to why he opted not to run anymore as governor, a position held for the last time by his younger sister, Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo.
She is returning to Congress to fill the shoes of lone Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, the senator’s son. The congressman is seeking a seat in the Senate through the administration’s Liberal Party.