Angara withdraws candidacy for Aurora governor

BALER, Aurora, Philippines – Sen. Edgardo Angara, who is eyeing the governorship of his province in the 2013 elections, withdrew his bid yesterday in a shocking declaration that jolted Aurorans.

Angara made the announcement following a   meeting with local political leaders at his residence in Barangay Reserva before noon yesterday, less than four months after he launched his gubernatorial bid during his 78th birthday celebration here last Sept. 30.

He will be replaced as standard-bearer of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino by his younger brother, Baler Mayor Arthur Angara.

The STAR called the Angaras – Sen. Angara; his congressman-son Juan Edgardo who is running for senator; his sister, Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and the senator’s runningmate and nephew Rommel – for comment, but none of them returned calls.  

A local political leader of the clan who was privy to the meeting but who asked not to be named confirmed the meeting and the announcement.

The leader said that the senator told those present in the meeting that he was offered a Cabinet position and had accepted it, but did not say what particular position it was.

The leader said among those present in the meeting were Bellaflor, Rommel and Arthur, who was himself reportedly taken aback by the announcement.

Arthur was earlier tapped to run against Vice Gov. Gerardo Noveras but he was viewed as a weak bet who could not mount a serious challenge to the vice governor.

Sources said one of the compelling reasons for the senator’s withdrawal from the race, aside from the offer, was the low-ranking of his son in recent surveys on senatorial aspirants.