Opposition Senate bet wants chance to campaign in pro-admin areas

MANILA, Philippines – Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc on Tuesday said she wanted to boost her Senate bid and campaign in pro-administration areas in the Calabarzon region, Pampanga and Pangasinan.

Gutoc noted that some local government units (LGUs) are “avoiding” them to prevent them from conducting town hall meetings.

“Isang strategy to get known as much as possible ay makilala ako sa Lingayen area, Calabarzon, Pampanga, Pangasinan. Kung bibigyan ako ng chance ng media at lahat ng LGUs kahit iniiwasan niyo kami. Sana makasalita kami sa mga town halls,” she told reporters after a prayer rally for peace in front of San Roque Church in Caloocan City.

(One strategy is to reach out to voters in Lingayen area, Calabarzon, Pampanga, Pangasinan.  If media and the LGUs will give us a chance, even if it appears they are avoiding us.  We wish to meet the people in town halls.)

Gutoc is a senatorial aspirant under the Otso Diretso, a coalition of opposition parties.

The civic leader said the Otso Diretso’s strategy is to reach out to communities in public places such as town halls and markets.

Gutoc also revealed that she is excited to visit and campaign in Mindanao even if she is against the declaration of martial law in the area.

“Excited ako [pumunta ng Mindanao] hindi dahil sinasabi nilang lahat ay pro-Martial Law at hindi ko raw ni-re-represent ang Mindanao because anti-Martial Law ako at hindi ko raw makukuha ang boto ng Mindanao,” she said.

Gutoc also said she would represent 7 million Muslims in the Philippines.

“Definitely ang core ko ay seven million Muslim-Filipinos. Kung nakikinig po sila, this is your core. This is your fight. I am fighting for you so please fight for me as well,” she said. / gsg