CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Team PNoy 2013 literally "conquered" Pampanga on Friday as the administration senatorial candidates made their way from Candaba and Mexico towns in the morning and the City of San Fernando and Guagua in the afternoon for the whole-day sorties welcomed by thousands of yellow-clad folks bearing Liberal Party (LP) flaglets.
In San Fernando, where a meeting with hundreds of local political and community leaders was held at Heroes Hall, no less than President Benigno Aquino III -- several times speaking in the Kapampangan language -- sought for support on the bids of senatoriables Loren Legarda, Franklin Drilon, Koko Pimentel, Bam Aquino, Jun Magsaysay, Grace Poe, Peter Cayetano, Riza Hontiveros, and Jamby Madrigal who presented their respective platforms.
"In the news today, it says PNoy entered Pampanga. Sa totoo lang po, this is just the beginning of what would be the visit of Team PNoy. I am a Kapampangan and proud to be one," he said.
The President also disclosed billions of pesos worth of infrastructure projects for the province, including flood mitigation and disaster risk programs.
"The P5-billion master rehabilitation plan of the Pampanga Delta Phase I is ongoing. Together with this, we have allocated another P2.956 billion for the integrated disaster risk and climate change program. Already, our kabalens are feeling the benefits of the Lazatin Flyover, plus the improvements of the Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo Road, like the portion from Lubao to Hermosa which cut down travel time to 30 minutes. There are also now completed farm-to-market roads in Floridablanca, Lubao and Magalang. Ika yu pu ing ginawa kanini. Ikayu ing boss ku (You are the ones who did these because you are our boss)," President Aquino said.
He also pledged that the lack of classrooms here and the whole country, where some 1,250 classrooms have been constructed, will be addressed by December this year.
"Nung nanung sinabi ku, iyang gawan ku (What I said, I will do). That is because I know that cabalens are on the side of truth at hindi maikakadena ang Kapampangan sa katiwalian. Kayo ang mga boss na magdi-disisyon sa darating na halalan at tuloy na pag-arangkada natin sa Tuwid na Daan," added the President.
Mayor Oscar Rodriguez welcomed the pronouncements and said the President was up to his promises all the time.
"We thank the President for the infrastructure and funds which include some P800 million for the city's flood mitigation projects like the Del Carmen-Balimbing Creek rehabilitation. We are also very happy about his visit and the sorties of Team PNoy. Already, they have gained much in posting so far a 9-3 slate with Bam Aquino rising from 16th to 9th. Our kabalens extend their gratitude to President Noynoy," said Rodriguez.
The President's slate started Friday its Pampanga sortie at Genuino Park in Candaba before proceeding to the press conference dubbed as "Usap-Tanghalian with Kapampangan" at Amber Trail, Mexico town.
The senatorial candidates were joined by LP local candidates headed by mayoralty bet Rene Maglanque and vice mayoralty candidate Normita Evangelista, gubernatorial candidate Eddie "Among Ed" Panlilio and running mate Lawyer Maie Tiglao-Cayanan
Samar Congressman Ben Evardone, Team PNOY spokesman, said the group will seek the support of the people in Pampanga to further boost their aim of attaining 12-0 result in senatorial race.
Panlilio, who is facing re-electionist Governor Lilia Pineda, endorsed the Team PNOY to Candabenios, saying they will continuously support President Aquino's advocacy for “Tuwid na daan.”
The priest-turned-politician also noted that the province will receive more opportunities from the Aquino administration if the complete slate of the LP both in the national and local level will be elected.
"Ngayon kakampi natin ang Malacanang, yung pag unlad na pinapangarap natin ay malapit na, kaya Candaba mag isip ka," Maglanque told the supporters who attended the political rally.
Team PNoy is coalition of the administration-backed senatorial slate for the May elections. It is composed of senatorial candidates from the LP, Akbayan, Nationalist People's Coalition, Nacionalista Party and Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino Coalition. (With Herbert P. Mapiles)