Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Alfonso Cusi withdrew from the congressional race in the second district of Oriental Mindoro.

“After close consultations with our constituents in Oriental Mindoro, our colleagues at the Manila International Airport Authority and my family, and deep soul-searching and personal reflection, we have decided to withdraw our candidacy as representative in the second congressional district of our province,” Cusi said Wednesday.

In a statement sent to media, Cusi said he was considering another position where he could continue serving the “national interest.”

“Politics can wait but we cannot turn our back on this singular chance to continue serving the Filipino people in the best way we can,” said Cusi.

“We hope to be able to share with you this new position where we can continue pursuing the national interest at the proper time,” he said.

Last week, he was offered by Malacañang to head the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. Cusi did not say if he accepted the post.

His withdrawal from the race leaves six candidates to vie for a Congress seat in the second district of Oriental Mindoro: Securities and Exchange Commission member Thaddeus Venturanza from Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Liberal Party’s Bureau of Customs deputy commissioner Reynaldo Umali of the Liberal Party, Anthony Yap of the Nacionalista Party, Aksyon’s Edmund Dante Janda, Partido ng Masang Pilipino’s Ephraim Salcedo, and independent Benrome Abao.

Cusi said he would continue to support his political group, the Sandugo Party.