Filtered By: Topstories
News

Ex-Marcos lawyer Lozano drops Senate bid for Bongbong's sake


Oliver Lozano, a former lawyer of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, has withdrawn his candidacy for senator in the 2013 midterm elections out of respect to Marcos' son. In his letter to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Lozano said he was backing out of the elections “in order not to stain the integrity of Senator [Ferdinand “Bongbong”] Marcos and, instead, preserve it above suspicion.” Lozano, who was among the seven senatorial bets of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), withdrew his candidacy despite being given a chance to defend it by the Comelec. “Senator Marcos is in coalition with NP (Nacionalista Party). I realize that running as KBL senatorial candidate renders his position and mine untenable,” he said in his letter. Known for filing alleged bogus complaints against former president Gloria Arroyo, Lozano has also charged President Benigno Aquino III and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV with treason in connection to the government’s backdoor negotiations with China. In Resolution No. 9540, the Comelec has included Lozano as those who have the chance to defend their candidacies on October 19. Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. said he was not surprised by Lozano’s decision. “I’m not really surprised. I’d like to thank him for helping the commission lessen the number of candidates for senator,” he said.   Brillantes said they would be hearing from those defending their candidacies this Friday.   The Comelec, however, will be hearing from the “colorful” candidates on Thursday morning, said Brillantes, referring to the 41 independent senatorial hopefuls that include Daniel Magtira, who claimed to be married to media personality Kris Aquino, and Salam Tagean Jr., who claimed to own the entire Philippines.     “Bukas tayo magsaya lahat because bukas ang entertaining and the colorful candidates,” Brillantes said, adding that they would be ruling on these cases for a day or two.   Comelec has approved the certificates of candidacy of 27 senatorial bets, while 57 have been given a chance to defend their candidacies. — KBK, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT