Oca withdraws congress bid to preserve family

MAYOR Oscar “Oca” Garin Sr. of Guimbal, Iloilo has officially dropped the first congressional district race in May 2019.

Garin said he scuttled his plan to reclaim his old seat to preserve unity in his family.

“Unconditionally, I withdraw from the contest to preserve my family. As the father and as a major factor for unity of the family, amo ni gin-unahan ko to erase all doubts. Ako ang nag-give way una, sa pagkatatay ko,” Garin said.

But he emphasized that there is no division within the family.

“We are not divided, but differing in opinions. I want to avoid mga misunderstandings nga wala pa man natabo,” Garin added.

The elder Garin filed his certificate of candidacy for first district representative on Oct 17, 2018, six days after his son, incumbent Rep. Richard Garin, filed his candidacy (COC).

On the same day, Mayor Garin’s daughter-in-law, former health secretary Janette Loreto-Garin, also filed her COC for the same post.

Aside from preserving his family, Oca said that he made the move to correct the impression about their family’s greed for politics and power.

“We cannot correct that impression not unless proven nga isa lang ka Garin ang mapadalagan,” he added.

The mayor said he is giving his children the leeway to their official congressional candidate while emphasizing that there is no clash between Richard and Janette.

“Wala sang issue. They will come out with a decision. I leave it to them. Sa akon pag-withdraw, one of them will be withdrawing soon and wala ko preference because they are both capable and able,” he noted.

Instead of running for congressman, Garin said he will seek reelection in Guimbal.

But he admitted that he still intends to run for congressman in the future.

“Kung tawhay and wala sabit, I’d choose to be congressman rather than being mayor pero committed na ako sa people of Guimbal,” he said.

Under the law, any person who filed a COC may withdraw at any time before Election Day, by personally filing a sworn Statement of Withdrawal in triplicate copies with the Commission on Elections office where the COC was filed.

Meanwhile, the substitution of candidates, particularly for those who withdrew their candidacies for the May 2019 midterm polls, will be allowed until Nov 29.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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