Iggy pal not running, yields to Palace bet

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines –A close friend of the late congressman Ignacio Arroyo is no longer running in the special election in the fifth district of Negros Occidental to give way to Malacañang’s bet.

Board Member Melvin Ibañez said he would just support the candidacy of Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol “since he would have better access to Malacañang because of his endorsement from the Liberal Party.”

“I am always thinking of no other way for the greater good of our district,” Mirasol said. 

“The stand of our local party, the United Negros Alliance (UNA) is to unite Negros (Occidental) and have a common goal, to bring progress and peace to our province,” Ibañez said in a text message to The STAR. 

Malacañang is reportedly backing the candidacy of Mirasol, who was the first mayor to publicly declare his support for Aquino in the 2010 elections. Sources said UNA would meet again tomorrow to formally endorse Mirasol.

Ibañez was the second candidate to back out from the race. Arroyo’s sister and former Kasangga party-list Rep. Ma. Lourdes “Marilou” Arroyo-Lesaca earlier announced that she is no longer running. 

“We are still grieving for the loss of my brother and upon consultation with my family, we deemed it best not to participate at this time,” Lesaca said in a statement.