Isko’s movers in Cebu shift support to Leni

CEBU, Philippines —  One of the groups supporting Mayor Isko Moreno’s presidential campaign, Ikaw Muna Pilipinas, has announced Monday that it is now backing Vice President Leni Robredo.

Nick Malazarte, IMP Visayas head and co-convenor of the movement, in a press conference, admitted that Moreno is not going to win the presidency after his survey ratings remain low despite.

Malazarte said the presidency race now is between Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Robredo, whom they considered as the better choice.

He said that Marcos is a “clear and imminent danger” for the country and added that they will continue to work hard for Robredo’s victory.

Cebu Vice Governor Hilario Davide III, a diehard Robredo ally, expressed thanks for the support.

“Ang padayon nga paglapad ug pagkusog sa suporta nga nakuha ni VP Leni sa nagkalain-laing pundok—-karon gikan nasad sa grupo ni presidential aspirant, Mayor Isko Moreno—-nagpakita lamang sa paspas nga pagtuhop sa ligdong niyang tinguha ngadto sa ordinaryong mga tawo. Salamat kaayo sa Ikaw Muna Pilipinas sa  pagsalig ug pagsuporta ni VP Leni,” Davide said in a statement.

Quoting Robredo, Davide said “ang tinud-anay nga kusog wala nagsukad sa kwarta o makinarya, kun dili sa panaghiusa sa katawhan.”

Malazarte also urged other groups of Moreno’s supporters to follow the same to make sure that Marcos will end up a loser in the presidential race.

Winley dela Fuente, lead convenor of the Visayas for Isko Sara Alliance (VISA), in a separate interview, downplayed Malazarte’s statement contending it has no effect on their Moreno’s continued campaign.

“Wala nay epekto ang ilang pagbali ngadto ni Leni,” said dela Fuente adding, “magpabilin mi nga mosuporta ni Isko. Ambot og usa ang iyang (Malazarte) na help sa kampanya ni Isko diri”.

Edward Ligas, founder of Isulong ang Serbisyo sa Katawhan nga Organisado (ISKO), the first group in Cebu launched for Moreno’s presidential bid, remains unfazed by IMP’s shifting of support.

“We are not jolted because we know the pulse in the ground. We know our strength and the strength of Malazarte’s IMP. We can even hardly felt his presence in the organization,” said Ligas adding they are focus on their work on the ground.

Ramie Inopiquez, IMP-Cebu provincial coordinator, said that they have 3,000 members in the cities of Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Cordova, Liloan and Consolacion.

He himself was a bit surprised of Malazarte’s pronouncement and he still to get words from their national leadership.

The Moreno’s election campaign has 32 parallel groups and IMP is one of them.

With the shift of support for Robredo, Malazarte added that IMP is now having a talk in supporting local candidates like the tandem of Cebu gubernatorial candidate Ace Durano and Davide.

The group #LeniAceJunjun was launched earlier.

“Talks are now on going about the support of Ace and Junjun by IMP. Kay wala pa ni namo nahisgutan when we have a meeting with the IMP convenors. Ang among nahisgutan lang gyud ang pagsuporta ngadto ni Leni,” Malazarte added.

Prior the press conference, the group held a rally in front of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) regional office in Cebu for Marcos and his family to pay the P203 billion estate tax they owed to the government as Malazarte said “a tax evader cannot be a good leader.” — GMR (FREEMAN)