PMP presidential bet withdraws candidacy, supports Binay

MANILA, Philippines - The presidential candidate of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), the party of Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada withdrew his candidacy on Monday.

PMP standard bearer Rommel "Mel" Mendoza announced that he will be supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Jejomar Binay instead, according to a report.

Mendoza was among the seven presidential aspirants that made it to the initial list of candidates released by the Commission on Elections a few weeks ago.

READ: Comelec sees 7-way race

Comelec Chair Juan Andres Bautista earlier admitted that the poll body debated whether or not to retain Mendoza on the list.

“Some of us believe that (having a) political party should not be used as sole ground but (we also have to look into) the candidate’s personal qualifications. But that is the en banc’s decision – that he is a nominee of a known political party,” Bautista said.

Mendoza is a resident of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and works as an assistant project officer.

The other presidential aspirants included in the initial list were Vice President Jejomar Binay (United Nationalist Alliance), Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago (People’s Reform Party). Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan), Sen. Grace Poe (Independent), Mar Roxas II (Liberal Party) and Rep. Roy Señeres (Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka Workers and Peasants Party).

The Comelec is expected to release the final list of candidates by February 3 as it is targeting to start the printing of ballots by February 8.

RELATED: Comelec releases initial list of presidential, VP candidates