Opposition Senate bets in Roxas City for town hall meetings

Vice President Leni Robredo (middle) presents opposition candidates (from left) Gary Alejano, Bam Aquino, Florin Hilbay, Erin Tanada, Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc and Romeo Macalintal at a gathering in Marikina City. INQUIRER FILE / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Philippines – The Oposisyon Koalisyon (OK) senatorial candidates arrived on Thursday morning in Roxas City, Capiz for a series of town hall meetings.

Senator Bam Aquino, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, civic leader Samira Gutoc, and election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, in interviews with local radio stations, shared their platforms and legislative priorities should they land a seat in the Senate.

OK organizers said that other members of the ‘Otso Diretso’ slate, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno and Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, will attend forums in Roxas City later in the day.

This will be the first time all eight members will be present in a single event since they announced their candidacies.

The candidates — except for Roxas who has a prior appointment — will also be in Iloilo City on Friday, January 11.

Roxas and Iloilo cities are known bailiwicks of the Liberal Party, which only has  two   candidates in the possible Magic 12.

According to a recent survey by Pulse Asia, only Roxas (ranked 8 to 15) and Aquino (ranked 10 to 16) have a chance of winning if the elections are held today. /gsg

READ: Poe tops Pulse Asia survey on 2019 Senate hopefuls