Bongbong: Opposition to VP bid expected

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. shrugged off the other day opposition to his bid for the vice presidency, which some quarters fear would herald the return of his clan to power.

“Like any other candidate there are people who are opposing. So it’s not surprising. All candidates have critics and it’s part of the process of the campaign, it’s not unexpected,” Marcos explained to reporters who accompanied him to the Basilica of Our Lady of Piat in Piat, Cagayan.

In his speech yesterday at the 30th anniversary celebration of the EDSA people power revolt in Quezon City, President Aquino warned the people that the Marcoses could return to power with the election of Marcos as vice president. 

Marcos said his critics should let the people decide whom they will vote for.

“We are happy I was able to come by at least to get the blessings of Father (Jaime) Herrera here in Basilica,” he said, adding that it was good to get guidance and protection from Our Lady of Piat.

When asked what he prayed for, Marcos said he asked for guidance and strength to follow God’s will.

The Our Lady of Piat is one of the most venerated icons of the Blessed Virgin because it is said to be miraculous.

The icon was sculpted in Macau and brought to the country in 1604 by Dominican missionaries.

“I am leading the unity campaign not only in the solid north but all over the country,” he told supporters at the Piat gymnasium before his convoy proceeded to the century-old pilgrimage destination in this town.

Meanwhile, the camp of former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos cried foul yesterday over reports that she attended the mass for victims of human rights violations during martial law at the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, Parañaque City last Wednesday.

Ricardo Malasa, aide of the congresswoman, said in a statement that they were not expecting the regular novena of Mrs. Marcos would be turned into a media event and hog the front pages of newspapers.

He clarified that Mrs. Marcos hears mass and attends the novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help every Wednesday in Baclaran.

The devotees of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help take the novena for nine consecutive Wednesdays.

He said Mrs. Marcos was on her third novena and the mass was almost over when some people began discussing things that happened during martial law and reporters suddenly appeared.

“While the martial law issues are mentioned, reporters suddenly appeared and began covering the event,” he said.

“We didn’t expect that to happen,” Malasa said.

The 86-year-old Marcos, in a wheelchair, sat in front of the altar as martial law victims recounted their ordeal during the Marcos regime.

Nardy Sabino, secretary general of the Promotion of Church People’s Response, said it was only a coincidence that Marcos was at the church when their group was holding their program for human rights victims.

Malasa said prior to their arrival at the Redemptorist Church they were informed that there was an EDSA people power revolt-related event but Mrs. Marcos told them that it’s okay if they would attend the mass as they could all pray together with the participants of the EDSA event.

“Madame wanted us to join the prayers of the EDSA participants, we never expected her attendance would become a major media event,” Malasa said.