Ablan out of Ilocos Norte gubernatorial race

SAN FERNANDO, La Union , Philippines  – Ilocos Norte Rep. Roque Ablan Jr. withdrew on Wednesday his certificate of candidacy (COC) in the gubernatorial race of Ilocos Norte to strengthen the re-election bid of Gov. Michael Keon of Lakas-Kampi-CMD against his cousin, former congresswoman Imee Marcos.

Ablan did so through a special power of attorney which lawyer Edito Balintona filed at around 3 p.m. Wednesday at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections in Laoag City.

Last Dec. 1, just a few hours before the deadline, Ablan surprisingly filed his COC for governor to serve as a substitute candidate in case Keon withdrew from the race.

But as Keon stood firm and decided to fight it out against Imee, who is making a political comeback in the province, Ablan said in an earlier interview that he would withdraw anytime.

He said his running for governor was never in his political plans, although he did so just in case the mayors of Ilocos Norte under the administration party would be “orphaned” if ever Keon would decide to withdraw.