‘Otso Diretso’: Roxas absence in Caloocan sortie not an issue

PHOTO by Gab Lalu / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidates from “Otso Diretso” opposition coalition shrugged off speculations about the absence of former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas from the group’s first day of campaigning in Caloocan City on Tuesday.

Roxas skipped the first activity of the coalition on the first day of the official campaign period for the 2019 midterm elections because of another event in his home province –Roxas City, Capiz.

“Sa tingin ko hindi dapat maging issue sa grupo ng Otso Diretso. Kasi kami may kanya-kanyang pinanggalingan. Even before the campaign, ‘di kami kumpleto kasi may kanya-kanyang din kaming commitment,” Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said during a press conference at Cafe Poblacion.

According to Alejano, conjectures of a divided Otso Diretso is untrue and assured the public they are united in promoting measures that would benefit the country and its people.

“Pero ‘pag sinabi niyong hindi kami united, united ang aming mensahe. It just so happen na may kanya-kanya kaming personality but I would like to assure you when it comes sa kapakanan ng ating bansa, sama-sama ang Otso Diretso,” he said.

Election Lawyer and senior citizens advocate Romulo Macalintal asked for the people’s trust despite Roxas’ absence.

“Ipagkatiwala niyo sa amin kung sakali wala ang isa ay hindi dahil hindi nagkakaisa. Otherwise, hindi naman kami magsasama-sama dito kung di namin gusto ang bawa’t isa. You can assure this is a united group,” Macalintal said in the same press conference.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, Liberal Party president and campaign manager of Otso Diretso, recalled his candidacy during the 2016 elections when he also was not able to attend some of his group’s campaign activities.

“Mangyayari talaga kahit ako nung tumakbo nung 2016, meron talagang mga panahon na ‘di ako nakakasama sa slate, meron namang panahon na kasama ako sa slate. That’s how it is,” he pointed out.

Pangilinan then guaranteed Roxas would attend Otso Diretso’s official campaign kick-off and proclamation rally in Naga City, Camarines Sur on Wednesday, February 13.

“He will be there tomorrow (February 13). He will have several opportunities that he will join us again,” Pangilinan said. Consuelo Marquez, INQUIRER.net    /kga