Admin bets launch proclamation rally

LAKAS-Kampi-CMD launched its proclamation rally at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City, Tuesday.

Lakas-Kampi deputy secretary general Rey Roquero said they chose Antipolo City to kick off their campaign because it is a “high ground,” which is considered as a lucky starting point.

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The party, led by standard bearer Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his running mate Edu Manzano, first launched a motorcade from its headquarters in Edsa to Antipolo in Rizal.

The two were joined by senatoriables Silvestre Bello III, Raul Lambino, Rey Langit, and Ramon Guico. The other senatorial bets are re-electionists senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., and Manuel "Lito" Lapid.

Jolo Revilla, the actor son of Bong Revilla, represented his father during the event.

According to Teodoro, the party initially eyed Baguio as venue to start their campaign as the city is close to his heart since his grandmother is from the North.

He added that if he has an edge against other bets, it is his being able to speak Ilokano, saying he considers Northern Luzon as his bailiwick.

No show

President Gloria Macapagal-Arrroyo was a no show at the proclamation rally of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD that was compensated by the presence of several congressmen and local government officials from the party including presidential son, Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Interior Secretary and Lakas-Kampi vice president Ronaldo Puno, and Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs and party vice president for membership Prospero Pichay also represented the Arroyo Cabinet.

Aside from Representative Arroyo, other lawmakers present were Tarlac Representative Nikki Teodoro, wife of Teodoro, and Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa.

Rock band Rivermaya entertained the crowd by rendering Teodoro's campaign song “Sulong Gibo,” along with their other hit songs Awit ng Kabataan, 214, and Elesi, while awaiting the arrival of Team, Gibo which conducted a motorcade from Edsa in Quezon City to Antipolo City.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD officials said President Arroyo continues to give advice and inputs in the administration party's campaign even if she is not physically present in some major activities like the proclamation rally in Antipolo.

Pichay said no one should put political colors in the President's absence, adding that she is very busy and focused on governance.

Prior to the start of the campaign, Lakas-Kampi National Advisory Board member Gabriel Claudio said President Arroyo had already turned over the leadership of the party to Teodoro to enable him to focus and handle the campaign while she focused on governance for the remainder of her term.

He added that the President’s absence in the proclamation rally or her failure to raise the hands of Teodoro Jr. and Manzano during the party convention should not be misconstrued as a non-support for the party bets.

“Political season na e, maraming black propaganda,” Claudio said of reports that the President may have a secret bet either in the persons of Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manny Vilar or Liberal Party bet Senator Noynoy Aquino.

“Gibo naman is not a traditional politician... let us not put political color. May Cabinet ngayon, busy siya sa sked,” he added in an ambush interview at the Lakas-Kampi headquarters.

Teodoro, in a press conference at party headquarters, said the President gives advice every now and then.

“Di nanganghulugan na di sya present ay wala ng suporta,” he said, adding that Arroyo remains a member of the party. She is the chairman emeritus of Lakas-Kampi.

Teodoro brands as mere rumors the report that the President may have a secret candidate, adding that he is neither insecure nor affected by the rumors.

He said he is the standard bearer of the party and he does not mind if the President failed to raise his hands during the Lakas convention in Manila citing that it is just a "symbol."

Teodoro expects the President to join him in his campaign in Pampanga in March and even campaign for him in the second district of Pampanga where she is running for congresswoman.

“She (Arroyo) has her own campaign, she has her own work," he added.

Survey

Teodoro said he is not demoralized by his low rankings in the survey, adding that it is still early in the campaign period.

“Thirty percent lang yun, 90 days pa ang campaign,” he said of the leads of Aquino and Villar who got a 37 percent and 35 percent ratings, respectively, in the January 22 to 26 Pulse Asia surveys.

He said he expects to gain at least a 0.3 percent rating per day to be able to raise and improve his ratings by at least 27 percent in May.

Teodoro in the Pulse Asia Survey got five percent, trailing behind former President Joseph Estrada who got 12 percent.

“Yes I’m confident. Kung hindi wala na ako dito,” he added.

Teodoro said it is probably his opponents who are nervous by coming up with propaganda and even rumors of secret bets and the like.

Campaign funds, endorsers

The administration party standard bearer, meanwhile, admitted that he is not sure if they would get celebrity endorsers like some of his opponents.

“Hindi ko pa alam. Kung makakakita tayo, maaari,” he said after several celebrity endorsers already showed their support to candidates like Aquino and Villar.

Teodoro said they are also leaving it to the party’s financial committee to handle the financing and finding of resources for the campaign.

The finance committee would be assessing where contributions are coming from, if there would be unwanted ties attached and the like.

He admitted that they may not rival the war chest of Villar who had several advertisements, but said with the start of the campaign the frequency of the airing and publication of ads would now be the same as any candidates.

Positive campaign

Teodoro said they would launch a clean and positive campaign focusing on the need for reforms and in encouraging everyone to be involved and to help each other especially to move the country forward.

He said what the country needs is an experienced leader who would set aside differences and pursue genuine reconciliation and take advantage of the opportunities available to the country.

“Positive campaign, kailangan i-enganyo ang tao to help, lend a helping hand, magtulungan, positive, sulong Pilipinas,” he said, shunning away from mudslinging, rumor mongering, and highlighting the negative of their rivals.

Teodoro said he wants to campaign at a higher plane or level where the public is encouraged to think of what is best for the country, to help each other overcome obstacles, and pursue genuine political reconciliation.

The party already identified areas where they would hold campaign, citing these includes places that are vote-rich, where they are weakest or do not have local leaders to endorse them.

He said they would try to campaign together and do solo sorties in some areas to cover more grounds.

On the ads placed on public buses, Teodoro said it would be up to the bus companies and owners to take them down, once the Commission on Election orders them to do so.

Presidency

Teodoro assures that if he wins the elections, it would not be an extension of the Arroyo government.

“I will not say that, I will not say that. It will be a Teodoro administration," he said.

He, however, acknowledged that he would continue some of the programs and projects started in the Arroyo government if he wins the presidency.

Among these are the long-term infrastructure programs of Arroyo, the irrigation programs to boost food security, conditional cash transfer to help the poor, and the peace efforts with different insurgents and secessionists groups.

“It will be the height of irresponsibility to stop them,” he said, adding that he would continue to engage strongly with the Philippines' Asian neighbors especially the Middle East, which plays an important role in the external relations and policies of the country.

Teodoro expects the next three months to be a tiring campaign period.

He said the worse part apart from the physical exhaustion involved is the emotional stress resulting from missed times and opportunities spent with the family. (JMR/Sunnex)