Vilma out of Batangas race, gives way to brother-in-law

Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos has backed out from her gubernatorial bid in Batangas province to give way to the candidacy of her brother-in-law Richard "Ricky" Recto, the province's incumbent vice governor, radio DZBB reported Saturday. Carmen Recto, Santos' mother-in-law told dzBB that the decision was made after the family settled their political differences. In a separate interview Saturday, Ricky told dzBB that while he welcomes the announcement, he has yet received a personal advice from his mother regarding the decision. Carmen is in Pangasinan, helping in the senatorial campaign of son Ralph. Richard was earlier declared as official gubernatorial candidate of the United Opposition. Actor Christopher de Leon will be Richard's running mate. Ralph announced Santos ’ plan to run for governor during the proclamation rally of the administration's Team Unity ticket in Pampanga on February 20. Richard, in an earlier interview, was unable to hold back his bitterness against Ralph and Vilma. "Why? They could have talked to me a year ago, six months ago or last week. I don't think it is right. You cannot make decisions just like that, last minute, and expect everyone to step aside," he said. In a separate interview with GMA News, Richard said that, "It isn't proper and actually quite unfair that both of them, just because they are who they are, to come in, kick me aside and tell me, 'you can do congress or mayor anyway.'" "I've made my commitments long ago and so it's going to be very difficult for me to backdown as a matter of fact, almost next to impossible," he added. Richard said he was already able to secure the support of all the 34 mayors in the province. -GMANews.TV