Team PNoy to visit vote-rich Visayas next week

CAVITE –- After wooing voters of the electoral vote-rich Calabarzon, Team PNoy will bring its political campaign to the Visayas, including Cebu, the home of suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Team PNoy, a coalition of political parties led by the ruling Liberal Party, has scheduled sorties in the provinces of Cebu and Negros, and Dumaguete City next week, said senatorial candidate Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara.

It was in Cebu where the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) held its kick-off rally to introduce its senatorial candidates. The party was led by its three political leaders: Vice President Jejomar Binay, former President Joseph Estrada, and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

The rally was in support of Garcia, who was suspended for six months by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for grave abuse of authority.

Garcia earlier said Cebu will deliver enough votes to catapult the candidates of UNA.

But the administration coalition was unfazed by Garcia's statement, saying President Benigno Aquino III will be available next week for the Team PNoy rally in Cebu.

Cebu has a voting population of 2.5 million.

Team PNoy campaign manager Senator Franklin Drilon, however, said he could not guarantee the complete attendance of the party's 12-man slate.

"We will encourage them," he said in a text message.

Only five of Team PNoy candidates have consistently attended the sorties of the slate this week. They are Risa Hontiveros, Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, Jamby Madrigal, and Jun Magsaysay.

Hontiveros said "it's more fun" if the administration slate will be complete in next week's sorties.

"I know Cebuanos will support Team PNoy. I expect them to be very warm and receptive to us," Hontiveros said.

Garcia's brother, Pablo John, is running against Liberal Party's Hilario Davide III for the gubernatorial position. Gwen Garcia, meanwhile, is running as congresswoman in the third district of Cebu. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)