Keon withdraws Laoag mayor bid

By Teddy Molina, Charlie Lagasca

LAOAG CITY – Saying he wants to preserve the unity of the Marcos family, former Ilocos Norte governor Michael Keon withdrew his candidacy for city mayor here Tuesday.

City election officer John Paul Martin said Keon, accompanied by a group of supporters, came to his office to withdraw his candidacy.

“It’s better not to pursue my candidacy than let it be the cause of misunderstanding and divisiveness in the Marcos family,” he said.

Keon’s cousin Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos earlier announced her support for the candidacy of Keon’s rival, Shevyll Fariñas, wife of Laoag Mayor Michael Fariñas.

With Keon out of the race, the mayoral race is between Shevyll and her uncle-in-law Roger Fariñas, a former mayor of this city.