Imelda Marcos withdraws candidacy weeks after conviction for graft

Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos has withdrawn her candidacy for governor.

According to a report on "24 Oras", Imelda's grandson Matthew Marcos Manotoc will run in her stead.

Matthew is the son of incumbent Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, the eldest daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the former First Lady.

Matthew, who previously filed a candidacy for vice governor, will run against the other Ilocos Norte representative, Rodolfo Fariñas.

Imelda withdrew her candidacy after the Sandiganbayan found her guilty of seven counts of graft in connection with several Switzerland-based foundations from which she benefited while she was Metro Manila governor in the early 1980s.

Matthew said his grandmother's conviction had nothing to do with her withdrawal from the gubernatorial race.

Thursday marked the last day for candidate substitution and corrections in the certificates of candidacy. —NB, GMA News