Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (UPDATED) — A councilor will no longer push through with his candidacy as representative of Antipolo&#x27;s 2nd legislative district in the upcoming special elections next month, citing his party&#x27;s decision. </p><p>In a statement, Lorenzon Juan &quot;LJ&quot; Sumulong III said the decision came following his consultation with the Nationalist People&#x27;s Coalition and his conversations with Antipolo Mayor Jun Ynares and Bong Acop, the son of the late Rep. Romeo Acop. </p><p>&quot;Naniniwala kami na sa panahong ito, higit na mahalaga ang katatagan ng pamahalaan, tuloy-tuloy na serbisyo, at pagkakaisa ng distrito kaysa anumang politikal na tunggalian,&quot; Sumulong said on his Facebook page. </p><p>&quot;Nakausap ko sina Mayor Jun Ynares at Doc. Bong Acop, at nagkasundo kami na isaalang-alang ang pag-urong ng aking kandidatura bilang paggalang sa alaala ng yumaong si Cong. Romeo Acop,&quot; he added. </p><p>Bong Acop is also among the candidates for the special elections, based on the individuals who submitted their COCs to the Comelec earlier this month. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/7-individuals-eye-house-seat-in-antipolo-2nd-district-1110">READ: 7 individuals eye House seat in Antipolo 2nd District</a></div><p>Sumulong said his decision was made to uphold unity and order, and to ensure the continued delivery of services in the 2nd District.</p><p>He added that the true measure of leadership is putting the public&#x27;s interest above personal ambition.</p><p>&quot;Ang hindi pagtuloy ay stratehikong hakbang upang maiwasan ang hindi kinakailangang paghahati at mapanatili ang pokus sa serbisyo sa mamamayan,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;Mananatili tayong kritikal sa katiwalian, at patuloy na magsusulong ng mabuting pamamahala. Ang desisyong ito ay pagpapatibay ng paninindigan ko na ang pamumuno ay nakabatay sa prinsipyo, hindi sa posisyon,&quot; he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PREPARATIONS NOT AFFECTED </strong></div><p>In an interview with reporters, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they have yet to receive the withdrawal documents from Sumulong.</p><p>&quot;Wala pa ang pormal na withdrawal niya ng candidacy. Itong withdrawal ay fina-file din mismo personally… hindi puwedeng ibang tao ang magpa-file don mismo sa opisina kung saan ifinile ang certificate of candidacy,&quot; Garcia said. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/2/5/comelec-to-realign-budget-to-fund-antipolo-special-elections-1555">READ: Comelec to realign budget to fund Antipolo special elections</a></div><p>He added that the poll body&#x27;s preparations for the special elections were not affected by the development, since the elections would be held manually and voters would just need to write the name of the candidate. </p><p>&quot;Hindi ito automated elections na pini-print ang pangalan sa balota. Therefore, isinusulat ng botante ang pangalan ng kandidato so walang effect sa amin whatsoever ‘yan,&quot; he said. </p><p>He reminded the voters in Antipolo&#x27;s 2nd district, however, that if they vote for the candidate who already withdrew, their votes would be considered &quot;stray.&quot; </p><p>The special elections were called to fill the congressional seat vacated after the passing of Rep. Acop in December 2025.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YKqeRCbp-wU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Lorenzo Juan "LJ" Sumulong III said the decision came following his consultation with the Nationalist People’s Coalition and his conversations with Antipolo Mayor Jun Ynares and Bong Acop, the son of the late Rep. Romeo Acop.</p>

Lorenzo Juan "LJ" Sumulong III said the decision came following his consultation with the Nationalist People’s Coalition and his conversations with Antipolo Mayor Jun Ynares and Bong Acop, the son of the late Rep. Romeo Acop.

Antipolo councilor drops bid for 2nd district House seat

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Antipolo councilor drops bid for 2nd district House seat

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 17, 2026 01:31 PM PHT

|

Updated February 17, 2026 05:57 PM PHT

Read More:

Antipolo

2nd District

Antipolo 2nd District

Comelec

Bong Acop

special elections

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