Northern Samar town mayor withdraws reelection bid

INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY — The mayor of Allen town in Northern Samar has withdrawn his reelection bid, saying he wants to prioritize his family over a third and final term.

Joey Suan, in a post on his social media account on Oct. 25, said he wants to spend more time with his family when his term ends in June 2025.

“To my fellow Allenians, I offer my heartfelt thanks to you for your unwavering support, cooperation, sacrifices, and love,” he said.

“My family and I decided that I will complete this term until June 2025, and then I will dedicate myself fully to being a family man,” he added.

Suan’s decision to no longer seek reelection, however, does not signal the end of the Suan family’s influence in Allen.

His wife, Katrina Mae, has filed her certificate of candidacy for mayor, while his elder brother and former mayor Rod is running for vice mayor against incumbent Vice Mayor Christian Lao.

Despite stepping down from office, Suan assured Allen residents that his commitment to their welfare remains steadfast.

“I will always be here even in my private capacity,” he said.

The Suan family has held leadership roles in Allen for decades.

Allen, one of Northern Samar’s key municipalities, houses three major seaports connecting the region to Luzon.

Suan is the second re-electionist mayor in Eastern Visayas to withdraw from the race.

Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon Onate also withdrew his reelection bid after a decision from the Office of the Ombudsman that ordered his dismissal from service due to alleged infractions while serving as vice mayor.