Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc, the youngest son of Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, on Wednesday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for a second term.

Once a reluctant candidate when he filed his COC as governor in 2018, Manotoc said he feels more calm and confident now that he knows how things are being run at the provincial government.

“There is no more fear of the unknown,” said Manotoc as he considers the management of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as his most significant achievement so far when the province reached a critical level of infection rate due to Delta variant but managed to reduce the series of spikes up to this time.

“In terms of managing Covid-19, I’d say that we have done better than most,” said Manotoc as he vowed to continue leading the province towards a better future once reelected.

According to Manotoc, the past two years have been the most challenging years in the history of Ilocos Norte but he is thankful his administration prepared well for this.

In pre-pandemic times, the Manotoc administration focused on the improvement of its healthcare system, expanding and upgrading its hospital facilities including the hiring of additional health personnel and initiating a medical scholarship program to produce more home-grown Ilokano doctors.

“Ilocos Norte is (in a) better situation now that we have learned how to deal with this pandemic,” he added.

In filing his re-election bid before the Comelec, Manotoc was accompanied by his aunt and running mate, Vice Governor Cecilia Marcos-Araneta, who is also seeking reelection.