CEBU, Philippines — Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. remains optimistic that Agimat Partylist will win in Cebu.
“Sa Cebu pa lang , panalo na tayo dito. Tayo ay tutulong sa ating mga manggagawa,” said Revilla during the Agimat Partylist Cebu Convention in a hotel in Mandaue City yesterday.
Cebuano businessman Nixon “Jojo” Dizon, the second nominee of the partylist, said that more than 500 barangay captains, barangay leaders, some mayors, representatives of sectoral groups, and homeowners’ associations attended event.
Dizon, who is the husband of Cebu Sixth District Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon, said that Revilla has helped a lot for Cebu, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Panahon sa pandemya nakahatag og assistance si Revilla sa mga atong mga tricycle drivers, habal-habal drivers ug uban pa nga mga sektor dinhi sa Sugbo,” said Dizon.
Revilla, who is the partylist campaign manager, said that giving of various programs to different sectors especially the workers’ welfare is the main cause of the partylist.
Revilla’s son, Bryan, is the partylist first nominee.
Revilla added that Cebu will always be dear to him and he won’t get tired of helping Cebu, especially in times of need.
Prior to the convention, Revilla, together with Dizon, Rep. Ouano-Dizon, and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes graced the opening and unveiling of Opao Bridge Widening Project in Opao, Mandaue City.
Dizon said that the bridge widening project cost around P20 million and funded by the Office of Senator Revilla.
Convention
Meanwhile, in many elections of the past, partylist group representatives “come and disappear.” So lamented the participants of yesterday’s convention of Agimat Partylist, which assures of a long-term and sustained relations with their constituents.
“Hindi pwede ang cannot be reached. I am always here, and I will always be here, especially for Cebu City and Cebu Province, naa ra gyud ko diri, dili ko mobiya,” assured Nixon Dizon.
Agimat’s goal is to deliver quick and efficient service with a heart, especially for laborers, drivers, and other marginalized sectors.
“Dili ko politiko, so dili ko mosaad. Buhaton na nako ug derecho,” added Dizon.
Agimat Partylist gathered officials including Cebu Provincial Board members, mayors and Cebu City barangay leaders for its Visayas Convention in an apparent show of force two weeks before the elections. The Agimat supporters hailed the partylist for the projects and assistance it was able to deliver so far, even if it does not yet have a seat in the Lower House.
“I was very surprised at the number of participants. I wasn’t aware that Agimat Partylist has grown this big,” said Revilla.
A barangay captain from Cebu City vowed to deliver votes for Agimat Partylist, seeing that it is the “most sincere” of all the partylists that approached them.
“We may be supporting different candidates for president or mayor now, but it is clear that we are all gathered here united for Agimat Partylist. The partylist was right in having Mr. Jojo Dizon as second nominee,” said the barangay captain, adding, “Og dili pa ni si Jojo Dizon, dili ni suportahan sa mga tawo. Pinangga man gud ang mga Ouano dili lang sa Mandaue kung dili sa tibuok Cebu, tungod kay ang mga Ouano dili mobiya panahon sa kalisud. Tanang gisaad gituman wa pa gani makalingkod.”
The barangay chief cited that 300 drivers in his locality received assistance from Agimat during the Covid lockdown, and that Agimat has made a “historic first time” for Cebu City’s barangay captains, and this is to be given an allocation for medical and burial assistance through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. — Sanden J. Anadia, JMD (FREEMAN)