Richard “Ricky” Recto has resigned from running for governor of Batangas in this 2022 election.
Recto went to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Batangas office past 4 pm on Friday to submit his notarized statement of withdrawal.
Recto is an independent candidate against incumbent governor Hermilando Mandanas (PDP-Laban), former Padre Garcia mayor Prudencio “Dacio” Gutierrez (NPC) and Praxedes Bustamante (independent).
“Yes, I did (withdraw). Nowadays sa panahong ito dahil digital na ang halalan maaga nagfa-file ang lahat. Di naman makakasama, hindi naman ilegal so minarapat kong mag-file and I obviously have my own intentions for doing so and we’re good. OK na ako so it’s time to pull out,” Recto said in a telephone interview with ABS-CBN News.
Recto did not mention the reason for his withdrawal, but he said: “If you notice, I don’t have a single tarp, a poster, or campaign paraphernalia anywhere. I hardly actually even did the rounds. I got to do what it was I intended, so now it’s time to go. ”
Recto has also expressed his support for Mandanas.
“I’m sure he doesn’t need the luck. Ako naman ay naniniwala hindi niya kailangan ng suwerte dahil siya naman ay magaling. I’m sure Mandanas will win his 6th term,” said Recto.
Ricky Recto withdraws from running as Batangas governor
In a phone interview with Gutierrez, he said that Recto may have backed out because the candidate he supports, Senator Bong Go, has also withdrawn his candidacy for the presidency.
“Parang ang panahon po ay naaayon sa atin, ‘yun po ang kuwenta ko doon. Ang pag-asa po natin ay mula sa Lipa, hagip ang 4th district ay pumapabor po sa atin,” said Gutierrez.
“Malapit din naman sa atin ang pamilya ng mga Recto at ang supporters po nila ay sa atin nakataya, kaya [this] time na walang Rectong lalaban, nasa atin po ang simpatiya niyan.”
Mandanas is running for his last term as governor.
Batangas Comelec Provincial Election Supervisor Atty Joyce Reyes-Cortez confirmed that they had received a copy of Recto’s statement of withdrawal Friday afternoon.
Recto is the younger brother of Sen. Ralph Recto and brother-in-law of 6th District Representative Vilma Santos-Recto.
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