Diño withdraws candidacy, gives slot to Duterte

(Screenshot from GMA News and Public Affairs footage)

Martin Diño, presidential bet of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has withdrawn today his candidacy for president.

Diño, who was alleged to be a placeholder for Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said in a phone interview with GMA News that he withdrew from the election after knowing that COMELEC is likely to disqualify him on the ground of being a nuisance candidate.

“I was sent a motu propio from the legal department of Comelec declaring that I am a nuisance candidate,” he said in Filipino to GMA News Online.

“I feel insulted by Comelec. My family is pitiful, we have been very insulted,” said Diño in Filipino to Rappler during a press conference.

Since Diño has withdrew his bid for presidency, PDP-Laban will push through with their resolution to replace Diño with Duterte.

“We are giving the slot to Rody Duterte,” said Diño in Filipino

Mike Sueño, national chairman of PDP-Laban said that they are only waiting for Duterte’s response to their offer before they could file a request for substitution.

The deadline for filing a request for substitution is until December 10, 2015.

Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who has said numerous times before that he would not be running for president has not yet commented on Diño’s withdrawal.