Former Vice President and veteran radio commentator Noli de Castro disclosed on Wednesday, Oct 13 that he is withdrawing his candidacy for senator.
De Castro has informed Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and the Aksyon Demokratiko about his decision and thanked them for supporting his candidacy.
The popular journalist represented Lakas-CMD when he won the vice presidency in 2004.
Last week, De Castro filed before the Commission on Elections a certificate of nomination and acceptance issued by Aksyon Demokratiko as a member of its 2022 senatorial slate.
"I-sinumite ko ang aking kandidatura sa Comelec noong Biyernes. Ngunit, nagkaroon ng pagbabago ang aking plan. Nais kong iparating sa lahat ng aking mga kaibigan at supporters na naghahanda na sanang tumulong sa akin na nagpasiya akong hindi na ituloy ang aking kandidatura. (On Friday, I filed by candidacy before the Comelec. But there has been change in plan. I would like to tell my friends and supporters who are preparing to help that I decided not to pursue my candidacy." said De Castro in a statement.
“Kasabay ng pagdarasal sa Poong Nazareno, napag-isip kong mas makakatulong ako sa pagbibigay ng boses sa ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng pamamahayag, (As I prayed to the Holy Nazarene, I realized that I can be more of help to our countrymen through journalism),” he said.
Before filing his candidacy on the last day of registration on Oct. 8, De Castro announced his resignation as news anchor of ABS-CBN.
Now 72, De Castro first resigned from the network when started his political career as a senator and vice president. He returned to the network after serving his term as vice president.
One of the leading broadcast networks in the country, ABS-CBN was shut down after the House of Representatives rejected its bid for a 25-year renewal of its legislative franchise last year.
Moreno is the standard bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko for the 2022 national elections. He will be supported by vice presidential candidate, popular medical news blogger Willie Ong.
Mindanaoan leader Samira Gutoc and entrepreneur Carl Balita are members of the senatorial slate of the party.