Customs chief Biazon, Valenzuela Mayor Gatchalian forego senatorial bids

Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon will no longer run for senator in next year’s midterm elections.   “After consultation with the President, I have decided to forego my Senate bid and stay in the Bureau of Customs,” Biazon said Tuesday at a press conference in his bureau’s office in Manila.   In a related development, Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian said his brother and incumbent Valenzuela mayor, Sherwin, will also no longer run as senator.   “Magko-congressman siya [Sherwin] sa first district ng Valenzuela, and I will try my luck as mayor,” Rep. Gatchalian said at a separate press conference in Quezon City.   Biazon is being slated to run under the Liberal Party senatorial ticket, while Mayor Gatchalian is being tapped by both the LP and United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) ticket.   Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat, LP deputy spokesperson, on Monday said the LP is considering Biazon’s father, former senator and incumbent Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, as the younger Biazon’s possible replacement in the party’s senatorial slate.  GMA News Online was still trying to contact Rep. Biazon as of posting time to confirm his plans for 2013. — Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News