|
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Arroyo’s rally fails to wow allies
By Jeanette P. Malinao
CEBU CITY -- The launching of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Team Unity senatorial slate at the New Cebu Coliseum Saturday was intended to be different from the usual campaign activity: no dance and song numbers, only the disclosure of candidates’ plans.
But the two-hour activity saw nothing beyond the loud beating of drums and campaign jingles, candidates making general statements for the country’s progress and President Arroyo raising the hands of the senatorial bets.
Post your Valentine's Day greetings
“There was no substance and content. It was more of rabble-rousing and mob rule. As a member of a party that’s probably going to have an alliance or arrangement with this ‘coliseum party,’ I don’t really feel proud,” Cebu Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong said in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu.
“We attained nothing except knowing kinsay gwapo ug gwapa (who looks good),” he added.
Maambong hopes Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will lead Cebu to a “more substantive way” of presenting senatorial candidates, “not like this showbiz style.”
“Cebuanos should lead the way unless we want to follow the way. We must elicit a platform. Let the NGOs and local officials send their proposals or questions, let the candidates answer. Speak of national issues, or perhaps issues on trisikad, habal-habal,” he said.
‘Hakot’
Garcia and Osmeña were not part of the organizers of the activity. They were there only as guests and as part of protocol when Arroyo visits Cebu.
Earlier, Garcia already announced that her One Cebu party will choose carefully in endorsing senatorial candidates.
Members of her party, however, attended. Aside from the mayors, vice mayors and councilors, also present were Reps. Simeon Kintanar, Red Durano, Eduardo Gullas, Nerissa Soon-Ruiz Antonio Cuenco and Raul del Mar. Representatives Antonio Yapha and Clavel Martinez were nowhere to be seen.
After a brief pause when asked what he thought of the activity, San Francisco Mayor Al Arquillano, who traveled all the way from Camotes island with his council for the event, replied: “Alimuot (It’s humid).”
Carcar Vice Mayor Roger Montesclaros said it was “well-attended.” He said it was good there were no hecklers and that the crowd was “appreciative” of the candidates’ presentation.
Maambong also said one cannot discount that it was a “hakot” crowd, noting signs of being organized like the T-shirts worn by those in the audience.
Some reporters also saw a woman bringing what appeared to be a list and distributing P500 bills to some people.
Concerns
Most of the 12 candidates’ speeches, including that of actor Cesar Montano, cited the need to protect children and ensure that they have a good future.
Aside from children, other general issues they cited were education, employment and poverty.
Senator Edgardo Angara mentioned expanding senior citizens’ discounts and Philhealth coverage, while Sultan Jamalul Kiram III spoke of the need to develop Mindanao for the country to grow.
Angara was also the only one to mention support for a raging local issue that is being made a requirement for them to be carried in sample ballots of Governor Garcia’s One Cebu party.
For senatorial candidates to get One Cebu’s endorsement, Garcia said they must sign a written commitment that they will oppose the bills to split Cebu into four provinces.
Vic Magsaysay and Chavit Singson, for their part, stressed the importance of strengthening local government units and decentralization.
“Taking care of the provinces will be my personal mission,” said Singson, who made it a point to recognize Tessie Oreta and Tito Sotto, who were in the opposition, in his speech.
No choice
Senator Joker Arroyo, meanwhile, cited the 5.3-percent economic growth that “will drop to zero” if the opposition will be allowed to have its way of destabilizing the government.
“We are in the administration because the other side has not declared against revolting and overthrowing government... We have no choice but to side with the government,” said Arroyo.
Mike Defensor promised to help achieve every Filipino family’s dream of owning a house, so they can cease being “squatters in their own country.”
Senator Ralph Recto continued the concern he raised since the last time he ran: countryside development.
Several candidates obviously tried to charm the crowd by speaking bits of Cebuano, with Miguel Zubiri singing a few words of “Matud Nila,” a song composed by Ben Zubiri.
President Arroyo again thanked Cebu for the votes delivered in the 2004 elections, for hosting her inauguration and the Malacañang in the South, and for the success of the recent Asean summit.
“I ask you this time again to help us,” was the President’s appeal before raising the hands of her candidates. (With Minerva B. Gerodias/Sun.Star Cebu)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (February 18, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
