Mar Roxas's namesake withdraws from 2016 race

MANILA, Philippines — The namesake of Liberal Party standard-bearer and former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II on Thursday withdrew his certificate of candidacy for president.

Roxas earlier filed a motu propio petition to declare Manuel Antonio "Mar Roxas" Roxas a nuisance candidate before the Commission on Elections after learning a man with a similar name filed for candidacy last month.

"Ayaw ko talagang tumakbo... retired policeman lang naman ako eh," Manuel Antonio said in a state news report.

He said he filed the certificate of candidacy to appeal to authorities before members of the media to address the case of his incarcerated son.

"Gusto ko lang madinig ako para sa kaso ng anak ko. Matagal na siyang nakakulong for rape. Almost 20 years na," Manuel Antonio said.

He admitted that Roxas's petition prompted him to back out.

READ:  Mar wants namesake declared as nuisance candidate

"Wala namang problema sa akin na magwi-withdraw na ko. Wala akong abogado kaya nga ayaw ko ng asunto. Ayoko nang makagulo," Manuel Antonio said.

In his petition, Roxas said Manuel Antonio should be declared a nuisance candidate as he only intends to sow confusion over having a similar nickname.

On Friday, Roxas vowed to assist Manuel Antonio in resolving his son's case. — Camille Diola with a report from Alexis Romero