MANILA- Bureau of Immigration Deputy Commissioner Marc Red Mariñas announced Friday that he is resigning from the agency to pursue a mayoral bid in Muntinlupa City next year.

Mariñas, who concurrently heads the Bureau’s Port Operations Division, said Friday he would file his certificate of candidacy on Monday.

Government officials are automatically deemed resigned from their posts once they file their candidacy for elective office.

The outgoing Immigration official said it has been a dream of his to become mayor since his teenage days.

"I cannot ignore and resist the clamor for change from various sectors in Muntinlupa who want a new brand of leadership at city hall. And that is the leadership that I intend to provide if elected mayor," he said in a statement.

If he wins, Mariñas replaces Jaime Fresnedi as mayor of Muntinlupa.