THIRD District Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas, running unopposed for a third and final term in May 2013, has withdrawn her candidacy and her mother, philanthropist and socialite Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas, is taking her spot.

The mother and daughter team, both from the Liberal Party, went to the Commission on Elections office December 20, a day before the deadline for substitutions, where Rachel filed her withdrawal while Baby filed her candidacy.

Provincial election supervisor Atty. Marino Salas said Rep. Arenas and her mother complied with the requirements under the rule of withdrawal and substitution.

“In the new rule regarding withdrawal and substitution, the candidates should be from the same party while no independent candidate could be substituted after the latter decided to withdraw candidacy,” Salas explained.

There are reports that Rep. Arenas has been offered a national post by the Aquino administration but she said there is still no official offer for any post.

Nonetheless, Arenas said, “I will seek to complete my commitments since I am still the congresswoman up to June next year.”

“After which I plan to help the administration with their different projects, it’s about time that I also serve the whole country,” she added.

She also hailed her mother for being her mentor saying, “From her, I was able to draw examples of true public service, I tried to live by the virtues she has taught me and I will continue to give back to this community in a manner that would make her proud.”

“She will serve not just with intelligence, but with heart and compassion,” Arenas said of her mom, currently a director of the Manila Economic Cultural Office.

Mrs. Arenas, for her part, declined to give any statement as she was in tears while her daughter was being interviewed by the local media.—Eva Visperas and Hilda Martin Austria

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