Recto backs out of Batangas gubernatorial race

BATANGAS, Philippines — Former vice governor Richard Recto withdrew his candidacy for governor of Batangas on Friday.

Recto went to the Commission on Elections office in Batangas at past 4 p.m. to submit a notarized statement of withdrawal.

An independent candidate, Recto was pitted against incumbent governor Hermilando Mandanas of PDP-Laban, former Padre Garcia mayor Prudencio Gutierrez of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and Praxedes Bustamante, also an independent.

“If you notice I don’t have a single tarp, a poster or campaign paraphernalia anywhere. I hardly actually even did the rounds. I got to do what I intended, and now it’s time to go,” Recto said.

He did not state the reason for his decision to back out of the race.

Recto expressed his support to Mandanas, saying he is confident that the governor would win another term.

Recto’s younger brother Ralph, who is on his last term as a senator, is running unopposed as congressman of the sixth district of Batangas.

Ralph will replace his wife Vilma Santos, who decided to take a break from politics.