Manila 1st District Rep. Manuel Luis "Manny" Lopez filed on Friday (Oct. 8) his certificate of candidacy (COC) for congressman of his bailiwick in Tondo.
Lopez decided to finish his term to complete his projects and legislative agenda and serve his constituents in Tondo.
He had earlier said that he would run for Manila mayor in the 2022 elections.
"I thank President Rodrigo Duterte for endorsing me as PDP-Laban’s (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan) mayoralty candidate in Manila. But after much reflection, I respectfully informed him of my desire to finish my term in Congress. The President graciously acceded to my request,” Lopez said in a statement.
He was seen as a strong candidate against Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan after President Duterte endorsed him as his bet to run for Manila mayor.
Lopez is now on his second term at the House of Representatives where he sits as chairman of the Committee on Metro Manila Development.
His committee tackled perennial problems in the National Capital Region such as poverty, lack of access to basic social and health services and worsening traffic.
Lopez is the son of former Manila Mayor Gemiliano "Mel" Lopez Jr.