Jimenez pulls out of race for Manila mayor

Businesswoman Maria Jimenez said yesteday she is backing out of the Manila mayoralty race, making it a four-cornered fight for the city’s top post.

In a one-paragraph statement e-mailed to reporters, Jimenez, who ran under the banner of the Hulog ng Langit party, did not categorically say she was withdrawing from the race but hinted that she would continue to serve the people even if she does not hold a government position.

"I can serve and love the children of God without holding any position in government. I can do it better because it has no shade of politics," she said.

She is the sister of former Manila sixth district congressman Mark Jimenez, whose real name is Mark Crespo.

"Just like my brother, who did not run for the Senate yet he went all over the country to love the children of God. I’ll do the sharing now with Mark. We will go hand in hand to share the love and bring the message of truth. Not just in Manila but the whole Philippines. Now I understand why. I want to walk with him and together we will share the gift of God without asking for anything in return," Jimenez said.

Reporters tried to get additional comments from Jimenez and Fifth District Councilor Robert Ortega, who is running as her vice mayor, but they were not available for comment.

The four remaining mayoralty candidates in Manila are Ali Atienza, who hopes to replace his father, outgoing Mayor Lito Atienza; Vice Mayor Danilo Lacuna; Sen. Alfredo Lim; and Fourth District Rep. Rodolfo Bacani.

During the early months of this year, there were speculations that Mark would run for mayor because he was going around the city and handing out food and money to residents of Manila. Many were surprised when he announced that he named his sister as their party’s candidate. – Evelyn Macairan