La Union governor seeks mayoral post

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines — La Union Gov. Francisco Ortega III, who backed out from his reelection bid on Tuesday, will run for mayor of San Fernando City.

Ortega filed his certificate of candidacy for the mayoralty post on Friday.

His daughter, Raphaela Veronica Ortega-David, replaced him in the gubernatorial race.

David earlier withdrew her bid for a seat in the provincial council.

Ortega, who filed his candidacy under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, will be running against his uncle, former city mayor Jose Pepe Ortega, and incumbent Mayor Dong Gualberto.

The governor said he prayed and reflected hard, and consulted his family before deciding to join the mayoral race.

“I know how grave is the responsibility that I should take. Being a mayor is not a mere title followed by a name,” Ortega said.

Ortega won as governor of La Union during the 2016 elections and was reelected in 2019.

He succeeded his father, Manuel Ortega, who served the province for three terms.