LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Congresswoman and former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos withdrew her candidacy for governor of Ilocos Norte Thursday, three weeks after she was convicted of seven counts of graft by the Sandiganbayan.
The 89-year-old Ilocos Norte 2nd District representative was replaced by her grandson, incumbent senior Board Member Matthew Marcos-Manotoc, who earlier filed his candidacy for vice governor of Ilocos Norte.
Board Member Mariano Marcos II, who filed earlier his certificate for reelection, will run for vice governor.
The Marcoses in Ilocos Norte will run under the Nacionalista Party.
Meanwhile, Congressman Rodolfo Farinas has filed his candidacy for governor by substituting gubernatorial bet Jesus Arimbuyutan.
In related development, former Ilocos Norte governor Michael Keon has filed his candidacy for mayor of Laoag City by replacing Aldrin Peralta.
Keon will face incumbent Mayor Chevylle Farinas in the mayoralty race in Laoag City in the May 13, 2019 polls. (Freddie G. Lazaro)
