MANILA – House of Representatives appropriations committee chairman and Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles is no longer running for senator in the 2019 midterm elections.
Nograles made the statement on Wednesday as he expressed support for other senatorial hopefuls from Mindanao belonging to the administration slate -- including Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, and Bureau of Corrections Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.
"I am grateful for the support of all the groups and individuals who encouraged me to run for a Senate seat in 2019," Nograles said.
"However, after much introspection and after consulting members of my family, I believe that I would be able to better serve the Administration of President Rodrigo Duterte by supporting the candidacies of fellow Mindanaoans who share my desire to bring development to the regions and uplift the welfare of our kapwa (fellow) probinsyanos,” he added.
Nograles said the Senate can benefit from the perspectives of those who have experienced first-hand the challenges faced by Filipinos in the provinces.
He cited as an example the leadership of Duterte, who also hails from Mindanao.
"Paninindigan, pag-unawa sa mga problema ng bayan, at malasakit. Ito ang mga katangian na hinahanap ng ating mga kababayan sa kanilang mga pinuno (Conviction, understanding our country’s problems, and concern — these are the traits that Filipinos are looking for in our leaders. Our people see this in our President),” Nograles said.
"This is the kind of leadership I will continue to support, in whatever capacity — whether as a public official or a private citizen,” he added.
Nograles was touted as a possible senatorial candidate after receiving the endorsement of Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Z. Duterte and after he was included in the initial list of PDP-Laban senatorial candidates. He is in his third and last term as congressman. (PNA)
