Bacolod mayoralty candidate Julius Sayson has filed his statement of withdrawal before the Commission on Elections in Manila claiming that he has received death threats.

Bacolod Election Officer Mavil Majarucon-Sia said she received a copy of Sayson's statement of withdrawal, that was sent through LBC, at about 10 a.m. yesterday.

Sayson reportedly went to Manila to file his statement of withdrawal, she said.

However, COMELEC Manila refused to accept it because, according to a COMELEC Resolution, withdrawal should be filed in the same office where a candidate filed his or her certificate of candidacy, she said.

Majarucon-Sia said Sayson's statement of withdrawal cannot be considered a valid withdrawal since he has to file it personally at the COMELEC Office in Bacolod where he filed his COC.

“What he has filed is considered a mere scrap of paper as his candidacy still stands, unless he comes to the office personally to file his certificate of withdrawal,” Majarucon-Sia said.

But she forwarded the withdrawal to the Legal Department of COMELEC, she said, adding that it was signed by Sayson under oath.

Majarucon said that the cellphone number of Sayson indicated in the pouch sent to her office could not be contacted.

In his statement of withdrawal, Sayson claimed that he has nothing against his family members who executed affidavits against his desire to run for office because he believes they were allegedly manipulated and coerced by some members who are for his uncle Thaddy (referring to Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson).

Julius Sayson said he has not voted and will never vote for his uncle.

He said he is withdrawing his candidacy for mayor to give his immediate family peace of mind so they will live a normal life.

Majarucon-Sia said the preliminary investigation on the petition to declare him as nuisance candidate will continue at the COMELEC First Division in Manila on Monday.

The petition was filed against Julius Sayson by Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, who is also running for mayor of Bacolod in the May 2013 elections.

The Vice Mayor said he will attend the hearing on Monday.

He said he has not yet seen a copy of the withdrawal but it is obvious that there is someone behind Julius Sayson who will benefit from it.*CGS

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