Rep. Garin drops reelection bid

FIRST District Rep. Richard Garin has officially left the first congressional district race as he withdrew his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on the last day of substitution and withdrawal set by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Nov 29, 2018.

Rep. Garin’s withdrawal means that his wife, former health secretary Janette Garin, will run for his seat.

“Ang pag-withdraw is also a consensus sang pamilya and if you remember during the filing of candidacy tatlo ka apelyido ka Garin ang nag-file nga on or before Nov 29, isa lang ka Garin ang magpadayon,” he said.

Rep. Garin earlier clarified that the Garin clan remains united despite the previous situation.

He expressed his gratitude to the full trust and support he had from his constituents in the first district during his two terms as congressman.

“I am informing each and everyone sa mga taga first district that I withdrew my candidacy in favor of Sec Janette Garin who is highly qualified to be the district representative,” he said.

But Rep. Garin said his withdrawal doesn’t imply that he will stop his political career.

“I will still be active and even more active sa public service,” he said.

He will not run for the third term to “give more personal and group options after three years.”

“After three years, I will be back in politics maybe as congressman, I will be in the private sector or I will be running again for other position,” he added.

He eyes to retire in politics at age 65.

Rep. Garin filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on the first day of filing, Oct 11, along with gubernatorial candidate and fourth district Rep. Ferjenel Biron.

Minutes before the deadline Certificate of Candidacies (COC) filing on Oct. 17, former Health Secretary Janette and Guimbal mayor Oscar “Oca” Garin filed theirs.

Mayor Oca first withdrew his candidacy to preserve unity in his 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,” the elder Garin said.

NO EXTENSION

Atty. Dennis Ausan, Comelec-6 regional director said that there will be no extension in the withdrawal and substitution of candidates for the 2019 midterm polls.

Ausan said that the Comelec will publish the tentative list for the candidates on Dec. 7.

From then, they will accommodate requests from the candidates who wish to correct or change their names that will appear on the official ballot.

“If ma finalize na tanan, the commission will be coming out with a final certified list of candidates which will be made basis for the printing of the official ballots,” he said.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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