Former VP Noli de Castro backs out of senate race
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT NOLI DE CASTRO backs out of the Senate race
In a statement released via his home network ABS-CBN, De Castro, who was supposed to be part of the Aksyon Demokratiko slate of Manila Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso, said that while he filed his candidacy last Friday, he had a change of heart and saw that he would better serve the people as a newsman.
Days before filing his COC, he left his hosting work with ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol.” It was not known if he would return soon to the program.
De Castro said he prayed to the Nazarene and realized he can help his countrymen better as a broadcaster. “Kasabay ng pagdarasal sa Poong Nazareno, napag-isip-isip kong mas makatutulong ako sa pagbibigay ng boses sa ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng pamamahayag,” he said.
“Nais kong iparating sa lahat ng aking mga kaibigan at supporters na naghahanda na sanang tumulong sa akin, na nagpasiya akong hindi na ituloy ang aking kandidatura (I want to inform all my friends and supporters who are gearing up to help me that I have decided not to continue my candidacy.),” he added.
De Castro stressed he would continue serving the public.
He said he would continue to be the “voice of the public,” especially at a time of political noise while others use their power for selfish interests. He also thanked a Mayor Domagoso and the Aksyon Demokratiko party for accepting him to the party.
Mayor Isko said he respects De Castro’s decision and wished him well.
“Vice Pres. Noli has personal reasons for giving up his senatorial run, which we respect. In truth, when my team was convincing him to run once more for the Senate, he contemplated on it for a long time,” he said.
“We respect his decision to forego his re-entry into national politics, and wish him well because we know that he will continue to have the best interests of our people, as the Pambansang Kabayan, in his heart,” he added.
Before serving as vice president from 2004 to 2010, De Castro was a senator for three years.
