Fariñas to run vs Imelda’s grandson for Ilocos Norte governor

LAOAG CITY -- Outgoing Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said Tuesday he decided to run for governor of the province because the Marcoses broke their peace deal.

Fariñas said under the agreement he had with former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he would not run for governor provided the Marcoses would not field candidates against his daughter Ria, who is seeking to replace him as representative of the first district, and Laoag Mayor Chevylle Fariñas, wife of his late nephew Michael, a former vice mayor.

However, Fariñas said Ryan Remigio, whom he beat in the congressional race in 2016, filed his certificate of candidacy against Ria while Michael Keon, a cousin of the former senator, decided at the last minute to run against Chevylle.

“They were going to withdraw the opponent of Ria, but Keon’s running against Chevylle violates our peace agreement,” Fariñas said.

He said Marcos assured him on Thursday that he would do his best to convince Keon to withdraw.

               Fariñas said he also told Marcos that he would withdraw his candidacy for governor if Keon backs out from the race.

                Fariñas, who was governor of Ilocos Norte from 1988 to 1998, will run against Matthew Manotoc, son of outgoing Gov. Imee Marcos.

Matthew substituted for his grandmother, second district Rep. and former first lady Imelda Marcos, who withdrew her candidacy for governor.

Imelda R. Marcos on Nov. 30 withdrew her certificate of candidacy for provincial governor in the 2019 midterm elections.

                Mathew earlier filed his COC for vice governor of Ilocos Norte.

He is challenged by 1st District Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas who substituted for erstwhile gubernatorial candidate Jesus Arimbuyutan.

Incumbent Board Member Mariano Marcos II, who earlier filed his COC for his reelection will now run for vice governor.

The Marcoses in Ilocos Norte will run under the Nacionalista Party.

Meantime, former Ilocos Norte Governor Michael M. Keon has filed his COC for Laoag City mayor, replacing Aldrin Peralta.

Keon will face incumbent Mayor Chevylle Fariñas.