FORMER vice president Noli de Castro on Wednesday announced that he is backing out from the senatorial race in the 2022 elections.

“Isinumite ko ang aking kandidatura sa Comelec noong Biyernes. Ngunit nagkaroon ng pagbabago ang aking plano,” De Castro said in a statement.

“Nais kong iparating sa lahat ng aking mga kaibigan at supporters na naghahanda na sanang tumulong sa akin, na nagpasiya akong hindi na ituloy ang aking kandidatura,” he added.

De Castro said he will serve the people better if he would continue working in broadcasting.

“Kasabay ng pagdarasal sa Poong Nazareno, napag-isip-isip kong mas makatutulong ako sa pagbibigay ng boses sa ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng pamamahayag,” he added.

The veteran news anchor filed his candidacy under Aksyon Demokratiko led by Manila Mayor ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso.

De Castro took his oath as a member of the party a day before filing his certificate of candidacy on October 8.

Moreno said he respects De Castro’s decision to withdraw.

“When my team was convincing him to run once more for the Senate, he contemplated on it for a long time,” he said. “We respect his decision to forego his re-entry into national politics, and wish him well because we know that he will continue to have the best interests of our people, as the Pambansang Kabayan, in his heart.”