Antiqueños threw a warm welcome for senatorial bets of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) as they kicked off their campaign caravan for Panay Island in the province of Antique.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who led the HNP senatorial candidates in their grand rally at the jam-packed Binirayan Gymnasium, courted the support of Antiqueños for the 13 senatorial candidates under the HNP as they aim to support and continue the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Mayor Duterte said it was already her third time to come to Antique as she was there when she campaigned for the presidential bid of her father, President Duterte, and after he won the election.
“President Duterte is conveying his thanks for your support to his candidacy,” she said, adding this time, they are now seeking the support of Antiqueños for the HNP senatorial bets for the May 13 national and local elections.
“President Duterte is conveying his thanks for your support to his candidacy.
Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos said that she and the HNP candidates are thankful for the warm welcome they had received from Antiqueños.
“Antiqueños’ warm welcome to us is as warm as the weather today with the El Niño,” Marcos said.
She said promotion of the eco-tourism industry in her home province was the key for the reduced poverty rate of Ilocos Norte. Tourism is an area wich Antique could also explore to improve its economy, she added.
Meanwile, former Philippine National Police chief Bato dela Rosa told the crowd that should he land a Senate seat, he will pass a law for the imposition of the death penalty on drug couriers.
He said that the proliferation of illegal drugs will destroy the future of the country and its people.
“The proliferation of illegal drugs will destroy the future of the country and its people.”
Reelectionist Sonny Angara said that being poor is no longer a hindrance for students to achieve degrees as “they are now enjoying free college education.”
For his part, former journalist Jiggy Manicad said his advocacies are driving him to run despite having no resources to fuel his campaign. He said he saw the face of poverty and war during his stint as a media person and he would like to help resolve the menace in society.
“I only have a small tarpaulin which I use every time I go to campaign,” he said.
Former presidential aide Bong Go came with movie stars Philip Salvador and Robin Padilla, who drew many Antiqueños to take photos with the celebrities.
Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Dong Mangudadatu, Senator JV Ejercito and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino and Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado, who came on behalf of her husband former senator Bong Revilla, also presented their respective campaign platforms.
The jam-packed gymnasium has a 3,000-capacity crowd but LED walls were installed outside to allow more Antiqueños to watch the political rally.
