Marcoses unveil ‘next gen’

FILE PHOTO: Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. INQUIRER FILES

LAOAG CITY—Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. returned to Ilocos Norte on Friday to help kick off the local campaigns of the next generation of political Marcoses.

The rally at Ilocos Norte capitol grounds was led by reelectionist Gov. Matthew Manotoc, Imee’s 33-year-old son who became Ilocos Norte governor in 2019 after one term as provincial board member.

Also making his political debut was Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, Bongbong’s 28-year-old eldest, who is running for representative of the province’’s first district.

Team Marcos, however, does not completely dominate the Ilocos Norte political scene, as it will be facing a tight race with another political family, the Fariñases, for top local posts.

In this capital city, the mayoral race will be a three-way fight among Bongbong’s and Imee’s cousin, reelectionist Mayor Michael Keon, incumbent Vice Mayor Vicentito Lazo, and former Mayor Chevylle Fariñas.

In October, the Marcoses wanted Keon to run for provincial board member, but Keon insisted on seeking reelection.

When Keon filed as an independent candidate, Imee officially endorsed the mayoral bid of Lazo.

In other localities, even political rivals declared their support for Team Marcos, hoping they could ride on Bongbong’s popularity and sway votes their way.

Before the local campaign season, Manotoc said that while races in the province were “competitive,” they decided not to choose sides and declared all areas, except for Laoag City, as “free zones.”