Batac, Ilocos Norte—Incumbent town Mayor Jesus R. Nalupta, who is running unopposed for re-election, withdrew his candidacy in a stunning development as he fielded his son, Jeffrey Nalupta, to take his place via the substitution route. The incumbent mayor withdrew his candidacy due to health and personal reasons. The younger Nalupta is a member of the Board of Directors of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) and he also serves as the executive secretary of his father. The older Nalupta said he went over other aspirants to substitute for him but he decided to stick with his son. The Ilocos Times tried to reach the younger Nalupta but he was unavailable as of press time. Meanwhile, with the turn of events, Laoag Vice Mayor and INEC legal counsel Marlon Wayne D. Manuel said Nalupta’s candidacy automatically resigned him from his INEC post. According to Manuel, INEC policy states that if an employee of the cooperative files a certificate of candidacy for a post higher than barangay chairman, he is deemed automatically resigned. In his opinion, he said Nalupta was automatically considered resigned from his INEC board post on May 7, the day he filed his candidacy via substitution. Manuel also explained that as a result of this, the vacancy created by Nalupta’s automatic resignation would be decided upon by the INEC board on whether they would appoint someone to fill the vacancy or call another election. He also clarified that he has not received any reports that it would be the elder Nalupta who would assume the younger Nalupta’s post at the INEC board. Dominic B. dela Cruz
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