MANILA — Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas on Monday said he was “beholden” to his constituents to support the senatorial bid of Gov. Imee Marcos — even if he believes that the allocation of tobacco taxes under her leadership was “wrong.”
The 67-year-old lawmaker earlier initiated a legislative investigation into the Ilocos Norte capitol’s use of tobacco tax shares for the purchase of P66.45 million worth of vehicles.
“I believe that what she did is wrong but it’s out of our hands already. The committee has made its report,” he told ANC.
“Now we have a governor… wanting to serve the country as senator. I will have to support her because ka-probinsya ko e (she’s from the same province,” he added.
A House panel last year recommended graft charges against Marcos and other provincial officials for the alleged misuse of taxes.
The daughter of the late strong Ferdinand Marcos “has not been proven guilty,” said Fariñas, adding that “people will hate” him if he does not support her candidacy.
“I am beholden as a leader, as the representative of the people to support our candidate, a governor of our province,” he said.
The former House majority leader said he last spoke to Marcos during the House probe.
Last week, he withdrew from Ilocos Norte’s gubernatorial race, leaving Marcos’ youngest son, provincial board member Matthew Marcos Manotoc, unopposed.
Fariñas said he wants to retire from politics, but deferred the withdrawal of his candidacy because of the Holy Week.
He said he would not have run in the first place if Marcos’ brother, former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, stuck to an agreement that they would not oppose his daughter Ria Fariñas, who is seeking to succeed him in the House of Representatives.
Ria is running against Remigio Medrano, a Marcos ally.
Fariñas’ niece-in-law, Chevylle Fariñas, is running for mayor of Laoag City, while his son, Rodolfo Farinas III, is a candidate for provincial board member.
ELECTIONS ‘UP TO THE PEOPLE’
Asked if he thinks it was unfair to the public to seek an agreement with the Marcoses, Farñas said, “No because in the first place, politics is the art of the possible.”
“Politics is trading, positioning. Even in first world countries, they also discuss then they give in and everything,” he said.
He also rejected criticism against his political dynasty, saying election “is up to the people.”
“Doctors have children who are doctors, lawyers have children who are lawyers… If you eliminate children of politicians, who would be better to follow than them who are in the first seat of what is happening, better placed [because] they know the people?” he said.
Gov. Marcos earlier denied any agreement with the Fariñases.
“Matagal na niyang gustong mag-withdraw (He has long been planning to withdraw). It really doesn’t come as a surprise,” she said.
