Some 10,000 local residents showed their support for 10 of 13 senatorial candidates being endorsed by the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) political party during a campaign rally in the vote-rich town of Mariveles in Bataan.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, HNP chair, led the senatoriables in the campaign rally at the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) covered court. The number of registered voters in Mariveles is pegged at more than 80,000.
The FAB hosts multi-national firms employing a total of over 40,000 workers coming from different parts of the country.
The President’s daughter, during the campaign sortie, said not all of the candidates in their line-up are “old politicians,” referring to Bong Go, Jiggy Manicad, Bato dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino.
She also thanked the people of Bataan for supporting her father during the last election.
“Nandito kami upang mag-solicit ng tulong ninyo at makilala ang mga bagong kaibigan (We are here to solicit your help and meet new friends),” she said.
The candidates present during the rally were reelectionist senators Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla, Jr. and senatorial bets Manicad, Dong Mangudadatu, Imee Marcos, Tolentino and Go.
Those in the HNP ticket but were not able to join the sortie were Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, Dela Rosa and Senator Koko Pimentel.
At the rally, the Senate bets bared their respective advocacies.
“Importante ang hanapbuhay. Kapag may hanapbuhay, makakaahon sa kahirapan ang mga tao (Livelihood is important. If there are jobs, people will escape poverty)” Villar said as she pledged to improve the lives of farmers and fisherfolk.
“If there are jobs, the people will escape poverty.”
Angara said he would continue to work further on better education offered by public schools. The seasoned legislator is one of the authors of the Universal Health Care Bill that aims to give all-out health coverage to all Filipinos.
Mangudadatu meanwhile said if unrest will end in Mindanao, the country will be one of the richest in the world.
“Kailangan maalis ang hidwaan ng mga Kristiyano, Muslim at mga Lumad. Iisang dugo ang nananalaytay sa atin (The conflict beyween Christians, Muslims and Lumads should stop. There is only one blood that runs in us),” he said.
“The conflict between Christians, Muslims and Lumads should stop.”
Go vowed to work for improved medical services in the country and said he would be the bridge of the people to President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Ipagpatuloy natin ang pagbabago na nasimulan ng Pangulo at labanan natin ang droga, korupsiyon at kriminalidad (Let us continue the reforms started by the President and let us fight drugs, corruption and criminality)” the former presidential aide said.
Bataan Governor Albert Garcia and other provincial officials meanwhile promised to fully support the Hugpong candidates.
“Kailangan ng Pangulo ang mga taong tutulong sa kanya sa Senado (The President needs people who will help him in the Senate),” Garcia said.
