LJ Sumulong withdraws from Antipolo special polls – Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — Lorenzo Juan Sumulong has officially withdrawn his candidacy from the special elections in the second district of Antipolo City, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday. 

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said that Sumulong submitted his statement of withdrawal from the special elections on Wednesday at 4:25 p.m.

“Candidate LJ Sumulong of the 2nd district of [Antipolo, Rizal] withdrew his candidacy,” Garcia, speaking in Filipino, told reporters in a Viber message. 

READ: Comelec posts online 7 COCs for special elections in Antipolo City

Garcia also said that the withdrawal is effective immediately and allowed as it was done during the campaign period.

Sumulong is one of the seven candidates who filed their certificates of candidacy for the congressional race. The special elections will be held on March 14, 2026 following the death of Rep. Romeo Acop in December 2025. 

Sumulong is an incumbent councilor as he ranked first in the councilorial race in the 2025 midterm elections with a total of 98,048 votes. 

In a separate statement on Monday, Sumulong expressed his intent to withdraw his candidacy, citing consultation efforts with his party Nationalist People’s Coalition and dialogue with Mayor Jun Ynares and Dr. Bong Acop.

Sumulong said that his decision was a result of his consultation with his party, to which he noted: “Naniniwala kami sa panahong ito, higit na mahalaga ang katatagan ng pamahalaan, tuloy-tuloy na serbisyo, at pagkakaisa ng distrito kaysa anumang politikal na tunggalian,” Sumulong wrote in a Facebook post.

(We believe that during this time, stability of the government, continued service, and unity in the district are more important than any political rivalry.)

READ: Comelec finalizing preparations for Antipolo 2nd District special polls

Sumulong also shared that his decision is also based on his dialogue with Ynares and Bong to respect the memories of the older Acop. Bong, who is also running for the special elections, is the son of the late lawmaker. 

“My decision is directed towards unity, peace, and continued service in the second district,” Sumulong added in Filipino

With this, Sumulong expressed that he will remain to be an advocate of good governance and to be critical against corruption. /jpv