Zambales mayor withdraws unopposed bid; brother is substitute

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Former Mayor Elvis Ragadio Soria of San Marcelino, Zambales casts his vote at San Guillermo Elementary School on Monday morning. He will replace his brother, incumbent and unopposed Mayor Elmer Soria, who withdrew his candidacy a day prior. (Photo by San Marcelino PIO)

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SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — Despite running unopposed and needing just one vote to secure reelection, San Marcelino Mayor Elmer Soria has withdrawn his candidacy, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed on Monday.

In a phone interview, San Marcelino Election Officer Mary Ann Salinas said their office received a memorandum from the Comelec Law Department on Sunday, approving the withdrawal and substitution of Mayor Soria.

Replacing him is his brother, former San Marcelino mayor Elvis Ragadio Soria, who had been running for a municipal councilor post but has also withdrawn that bid to substitute as mayoral candidate.

Salinas said she was not informed of the reason behind Mayor Soria’s withdrawal. However, she noted that under Comelec guidelines for the midterm elections, substitution due to death, incapacity, or disqualification is allowed until noon on Monday.

“All candidates and political parties have been notified. We’ve also posted a public notice regarding the substitution,” Salinas said in Filipino.

Since the official ballots have already been printed, votes cast for Elmer Soria will automatically be credited to Elvis Soria. Meanwhile, votes for Elvis in the councilor race will no longer be counted.

As of reporting time, the election in San Marcelino has remained generally peaceful, with only minor technical issues involving a few automated counting machines that were promptly resolved.