Marcos cousin quits mayoral race

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Michael Keon is known as the first Marcos to challenge the Fariñases, who have ruled
Laoag City for decades

MANILA, Philippines – Former Ilocos Norte Gov Michael Marcos Keon on Tuesday, April 2
withdrew from the Laoag City mayoral race.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Keon arrived at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in
Laoag City at 10:15 a.m. to “file his withdrawal as candidate for mayor,” Comelec-Laoag City
election assistant Aurelio Gagarin told Rappler in a phone interview.

This brings the race to a virtual one-on-one between two Fariñases: former Laoag City Mayor
Roger Fariñas and Chevylle Fariñas, wife of the incumbent mayor Michael Fariñas, a nephew
of Roger. The third candidate for the race is former Laoag City Mayor Cesar Ventura, who has
lost previous election bids.

Keon, former president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, is the nephew of the late
President Ferdinand Marcos and cousin of incumbent Gov Imee Marcos.

In 2010, Keon ran against her in the gubernatorial race. He lost.

Had he pushed through with his bid, Keon would have been the first Marcos to challenge the
Fariñases in their own turf. The clan has ruled Laoag City for decades. Before incumbent
Mayor Michael Fariñas, his uncles Rodolfo (now congressman) and Roger Fariñas also served
as mayor of Laoag.

Imee chose not to support the mayoral bid of her estranged cousin, however.

She’s supporting Chevylle Fariñas, the wife of the outgoing mayor. Gov Marcos will proclaim
all her local bets Tuesday night at the provincial capitol.

Chevylle’s election bid has divided the Fariñas clan. Her husband Michael Fariñas, the
incumbent mayor, is running as her vice mayor against his own cousin Carlos, son of Rep
Rodolfo Fariñas.

Roger has said Chevylle should not have run for mayor because the position must be held — as
it’s been held for decades — by the so-called “true Fariñas.” This refers to those who were
born Fariñases as opposed to those who were married to a Fariñas.

Chevylle is an incumbent barangay captain. – Rappler.com