PDP-Laban standard bearer Diño quits presidential race

DAVAO CITY – Martin Diño has unexpectedly withdrawn from the presidential race as standard bearer of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan amid a petition by the legal department of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeking his declaration as nuisance candidate, former North Cotabato governor Emmanuel Piñol announced.

Piñol said with Diño also asked Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run in his stead.

READ: PDP-Laban keeps door open for Duterte in 2016 | Can Duterte sub for Diño? It’s up to Comelec

Duterte could not yet be reached for comment but he had earlier said that the possibility of him substituting for Diño depended on the decision of PDP-Laban, and that the party has until December 10 to make the decision. CDG