LP warned local execs not to accept help from UNA – JV

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – The ruling Liberal Party had “bullied” local officials and police into staying away from campaign sorties of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in Mindanao and Cebu, San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor Ejercito said yesterday.

Ejercito, a senatorial candidate of UNA, told The STAR here that the LP had called officials in Mindanao and Cebu to warn them “not to accept us, not to help us.”

Ejercito campaigned yesterday with his UNA colleagues at the Pampanga public market. Asked if they experienced LP “bullying,” Ejercito said he felt none.

But whether there had ever been bullying from LP, his colleagues in the UNA were convinced their chances in Central Luzon or even in President Aquino’s home province of Tarlac in the May elections were greater than those of their LP rivals.

“I don’t think Central Luzon is President Aquino’s bailiwick. He neglected Central Luzon, especially Pampanga, perhaps because of the province’s being linked to the Arroyo administration,” said UNA senatorial candidate Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay.

“Funds for flood control projects in Central Luzon were held. Also the proposed north rail project is gone. Even my province Zambales has been ignored,” she said.

Another UNA candidate, former senator Miguel Zubiri, said that while voters in Tarlac would probably give more votes to LP senatorial bets, other provinces in Central Luzon are likely to support UNA candidates.

“Pampanga is traditionally opposition country. In Zambales, (Gov. Hermogenes) Jun Ebdane is close to us. Zambales is the home province of (former President Joseph Estrada’s wife) Loi Ejercito. Nueva Ecija is also known as opposition country where (Vice President Jejomar) Binay and former President Estrada are popular. The same is true in the case of Bulacan. In Bataan, it is known that I co-sponsored the bill creating the economic zone there,” Zubiri said.

There were no showbiz personalities at UNA’s rally at the Pampanga public market, and the crowd of at least 350 supporters and kibitzers had to make do with Magsaysay, Zubiri, and another candidate Nancy Binay being introduced as Dawn Zulueta, Gabby Concepcion and Nora Aunor, respectively.

The campaign started with a downtown motorcade but with only Binay and former senator Ernesto Maceda on board.

Before a scheduled “boodle fight,” candidate Tingting Cojuangco asked for balo-balo, a Kapampangan dish of fermented rice and fried fish. But she disappeared when the actual boodle fight began.

Binay, Magsaysay, Zubiri and Ejercito gamely partook of  kare-kare, sisig, daing na bangus, ensalada, mangoes, relyenong bangus, tocino, and longganisa, which they washed down with coconut juice.

‘3 kings’ no shows

Conspicuously absent yesterday were UNA’s “three kings” – Vice President Jejomar Binay, Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Zubiri said the vice president was not expected since he had to attend a Scout jamboree in Mt. Makiling in Laguna.

Nancy said she was still hoping “common candidates” Sen. Francis Escudero, Sen. Loren Legarda and Grace Poe-Llamanzares would join her party’s campaign sorties in the future.

“The more, the merrier,” she said.

UNA is mulling dropping the three from its list of senatorial candidates because of their failure to attend earlier sorties.

Richard Gordon, who is running again for senator, said it’s up to the three to decide if they wish to later join the UNA campaign.

“They are my friends and they are all competent,” he said.

“But of course I would rather have only nine of us as this would give me more time to talk (during campaigns),” he said in jest.

Ejercito said he would rather leave it to UNA’s executive committee to decide whether to remove the three from UNA’s list.

In her brief speech, Binay said it was her parents who taught her how to be a good public servant.

“I will be the partner of Vice President Binay in the Senate. As a parent, I know how important it is to have healthy children. I will move for free vaccinations to prevent the children from acquiring meningo coccemia, I will continue the brand of public service of Vice President Binay,” Binay said.

“Should we win in the Senate, we will look for budget for the railway system so that we can market foods here in Angeles City,” Cojuangco, for her part, said.

Maceda said his experience as former senator would make him more effective in dealing with the country’s problems.

“We will address the problems on lack of employment by creating three million jobs. We will also attend to the problem of source of income of the senior citizens by giving them P1,400 each. I will also work to increase the present 20 percent to 30 percent discounts for senior citizens and students discounts as well such as purchasing of books,” Maceda said.

He also promised to work for an increase in the Internal Revenue Allotment or pork barrel funds of local government units.

“I will also work for a law that would give regular salaries to barangay tanod, health workers. I could say that I am the specialist in the Senate. I’m Mr. Expose, Mr. Experience. For me you are the first in the Senate,” Maceda said.

Magsaysay, meanwhile, promised to work for free health care and education.

“I was the first congresswoman in the history of Congress who successfully implemented free blood and drug testing. What I did in my district in Zambales will be tasted by the people here in Pampanga if I win in the May 13 elections. If you want a working senator, vote for Mitos Magsaysay,” she said.

Ejercito, on the other hand, said that the people are not feeling the effects of glowing economic figures under the Aquino administration. Gordon chided the ruling coalition for projecting a 12-0 victory in the elections.

“12-0 is the most anomalous thing I have heard on earth. What will they do? Cheat? Idiots are not allowed here. I will shoot whoever raised their hands and claim that they believe in 12-0 win,” Gordon said.  –  With Jose Rodel Clapano