LAOAG CITY, Philippines – Mayor Michael Fariñas beat the deadline for candidate substitution last Friday and filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice mayor of this city.
Fariñas had his wife, Chevyl, substituting for him in the mayoral race.
The mayor will be pitted against his cousin Carlos Fariñas, son of Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.
Chevyl, on the other hand, will face former mayor Roger Fariñas and former Ilocos Norte governor Michael Keon.
The mayor and his wife enjoy the support of Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.
In Tuguegarao City, Mayor Benjamin Guzman Dy of Cauayan City withdrew his candidacy for health reasons.
Dy’s son, Bernard Faustino, a businessman and former president of the Philippine Jaycees, substituted for him.