Al-ag backs out of vice mayoralty bid in Davao City

DAVAO CITY – Incumbent City Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag backed out of his bid to be the running-mate of Mayor Sara Z. Duterte in the coming 2019 midterm election.

Al-ag said he made his decision after he was informed by the leadership of the coalition of Hugpong ng Pagbago (HNP) and Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) that Duterte has already chosen another running mate.

"I respect the decision of the Party and will continue to give my full support to all the official candidates of HNP," he said.

The vice mayor said he will continue to work as hard until the end of his term on June 30, 2019.

"After which, I will return to my private sector life," he said.

Al-ag said he thanked President Rodrigo Duterte, Mayor Sara, former vice mayor Paolo Duterte, members of the 18th Davao City Council, and the men and women of the City Government of Davao for their trust and confidence to him.

Councilor J. Melchor Quiatain Jr., spokesperson of the Hugpong Coalition, already bared its official candidates for the midterm election on Monday noon but the vice mayor was not mentioned.

Quitain said he had no authority to reveal who Mayor Sara's running mate would be. As of late yesterday, the coalition had yet to disclose its vice mayoralty candidate.

He said the name will be disclosed to the public on or before the deadline of the filing of certificates of candidacy on Wednesday.

Last week, the mayor asked if her younger brother Sebastian will be their bet for the position, but she refused to confirm or deny this. (Armando Fenequito Jr.)