Manila Rep. Lopez quits mayoralty race, seeks reelection instead

Manila 1st District Rep. Manuel Lopez (Photo from the website of the House of Representatives)

MANILA, Philippines — Manila 1st District Rep. Manuel Lopez is backing out of the city mayoralty contest and seeking reelection instead.

Lopez on Friday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for a third and final term as representative of Tondo in the capital city of Manila.

The PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi earlier endorsed Lopez as its candidate for Manila City mayor.

READ: PDP-Laban Cusi wing names Rep. Lopez as Manila mayoral candidate

But Lopez said he changed his mind and opted to just finish his term to “complete his projects and legislative agenda and serve his constituents.”

“I thank President Rodrigo Duterte for endorsing me as PDP-Laban’s mayoralty candidate in Manila. But after much reflection, I respectfully informed him of my desire to finish my term in Congress. The President graciously acceded to my request,” he said in a statement.

Lopez, as incumbent representative of Manila City’s 1st District, also sits as chairman of the House committee on Metro Manila development.

KGA / gsg