Sandro files COC for re-election bid

REELECTION BID. Ilocos Norte 1st Dist. Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos  files his certificate of candidacy for a second term at the Commission on Elections provincial office in this city on Oct. 7, 2024. (Leilanie Adriano)

By Leilanie Adriano

LAOAG CITY—Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, the eldest son of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., formalized his reelection bid with the filing of his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in this city on Oct. 7, 2024.

He was accompanied by his parents, the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, along with his cousin, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, and other relatives and supporters who cheered for him upon arrival at the provincial Comelec office.

His second term bid is expected to be unopposed after defeating former Ilocos Norte first district Rep. Ria Christina Fariñas.

Backed by the current administration and the different mayors of Ilocos Norte, the young Marcos expressed confidence that the best way possible to help the people of Ilocos Norte is for him to continue what he has started in Congress.

Among his remarkable legislative contributions as representative of the province’s First District and Senior Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives include the SIM Card Registration Act and the Internet Transactions Act.

Apart from cybersecurity and e-commerce initiatives, the young solon has also been instrumental in the passage of the Maharlika Investment Fund Act.

Support for Laoag candidates

Incumbent city councilor Bryan Alcid, will run for mayor, and Philippine Councilors League president Handy Lao, for vice mayor.

In a brief media interview, the First Lady said, "I will support whoever my son supports."

This was seconded by the President as he wished good luck to all candidates.

“Good luck to all our candidates. Make it a peaceful, proper, and orderly (process). That’s all we want,” he added.

Other candidates in Ilocos Norte file their COCs

Laoag mayor Michael Keon

Incumbent Laoag mayor Keon filed his COC, accompanied by his partner, as he guns for a third and final term. He will be running against the Marcoses-backed Alcid.  Fariñas also filed his COC for reelection to his second term. Fariñas was accompanied by his family led by former Ilocos Norte Governor and first district Rep. Rodolfo “Rudy” C. Fariñas.

Batac councilor Mark Chistian “Markee” Chua and incumbent Batac mayor Albert D. Chua

In the province’s other city, former Batac mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta and Bismark Quidang filed their COC for mayor and vice mayor, respectively. They will be challenging Mark Chistian “Markee” Chua and incumbent Batac mayor Albert D. Chua. The incumbent mayor is on his third and final term, and has slid down to run for the vice mayoralty post. Markee is an incumbent Batac councilor and son of Batac vice mayor Windell Chua.

Badoc Liga ng mga Barangay president Virgilio Calajate files his COC for the mayoralty post

In Pagudpud, incumbent mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito and vice mayor Bingbong Calvan filed their COC for their third and final term.

Meanwhile, the top two posts in Paoay will be between mayor Sheila Galano and Dr. Leah Buduan and businessman Roberto Bob Diaz and vice mayor Atty. Ferdinand Ignacio, for the mayoralty and vice mayoralty posts, respectively.