The lone senatorial aspirant of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) withdrew his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday, Nov. 13.
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Marianito Roque, former Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) secretary, will reportedly be replaced by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
In a statement from DOLE, the agency mentioned that Bello has "yet to decide whether or not to seek a seat in the Senate" and has "until Monday to do so".
"Medyo mabigat yung ano eh, yung gagawing campaign eh saka masyadong madami ang nasa field ngayon kaya siguro I'll take my chances some time (The campaign will be tough and there's too many on the field right so maybe I'll take my chances some time)", Roque told reporters.
Meanwhile, Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP) presidential bet Antonio Valdes also withdrew his candidacy for president.
Antonio Parlade Jr. will reportedly be his substitute. The former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson has yet to comment nor file for substitution.
Party-list group Malasakit Movement also arrived and successfully completed their filing for substitution for third to fifth nominees as their papers on Friday, Nov. 11, were not accepted because of lacking requirements.
Its third nominee Eusebio Avanceña, Jr., cousin of Duterte's partner Honeylet Avanceña, substituted for an Elizabeth Rodriguez.