This, after relatives within the Cojuangco family announced backing out of plans for the same post in deference to him.
Paniqui Mayor Miguel Cojuangco- Rivilla, who had earlier announced he would run for congressman in Tarlac’s first district, said he was giving way to his cousin Charlie and that he would instead run for Tarlac vice governor.
Rivilla is on his last term as mayor which he won as independent candidate.
The congressional post in Tarlac’s first district was left vacant by the death of Danding’s younger brother Rep. Henry Cojuangco earlier this year.
Henry’s son Tarlac Vice Gov. Enrique “Kit” Cojuangco was expected to also run for congressman next year according to his father’s wish, but also confirmed he was giving way to Charlie.
In the 2013 congressional elections in Negros Occidental’s fourth district, Charlie lost to cousin Jeffrey Ferrer. Charlie was first elected congressman in the district in 1998.
In a statement, Charlie said, “I am running in the 2016 elections for a seat in Congress representing the first congressional district of Tarlac where I have been resident in the last two years. Negros will always be home for me, but it is time to also do something for the province of my paternal roots.” Charlie filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) last Tuesday. He is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)) founded by his father.
Records at the Commission on Elections ((Comelec) in Paniqui, Tarlac showed Charlie registered last May 13, as voter of precinct 168-A Barangay Abogado in the town.
Meanwhile, the NPC provincial leadership has announced that 2nd District Rep. Susan Yap-Sulit will be running for governor with NPC board member Carlito David as her running mate, leaving no NPC post for incumbent Vice Gov. Kit Cojuangco.
Tarlac City Mayor Gelacio Manalang also filed his candidacy for governor under the Partido ng Masang Pilipino party.
In Tarlac City, Board Member Cristy Angeles also filed her COC for mayor of Tarlac City, challenging Association of Barangay Chairmen Manchoy Manalang who also filed his mayoral candidacy last Monday.
Tarlac Gov. Victor A. Yap is also expected to run for mayor of the capital city.
