Otso Diretso senatorial bets. NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net
CAMARINES SUR, Philippines –- Branding themselves as underdogs against the giant returners and administration-backed candidates, Otso Diretso senatorial bets on Wednesday threw shade against competitors who have been accused of corruption and those who released films of their lives and banked on huge billboards.
Upon arriving at the Naga airport earlier, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc said they would focus on face-to-face campaigns instead of mounting huge and expensive billboards.
“House to house. Lapit sa tao, hindi billboard,” she said.
Former congressman Erin Tañada meanwhile flaunted their track record and wisdom even though they don’t have a biopic of themselves.
“Wala kaming pelikula pero artistahin naman kami. Mas matalino pa rin kami kaysa sa kanila,” Tañada said during his speech at the Zeferino Arroyo High School Covered Court in Iriga City.
A movie starring actor Robin Padilla as Former Bureau of Corrections Chief Ronald Dela Rosa, another senatorial candidate, was released two weeks before the start of the 90-day campaign period.
Election lawyer and senior citizen advocate Romulo Macalintal meanwhile admitted that they are not famous because they have no record of stealing.
“Ang sabi nila kami raw ay hindi kilala. Hindi nga kami kilala dahil Otso Diretso hindi kilalang magnanakaw,” Macalintal said.
Admin-backed senatorial bets Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla, and Juan Ponce Enrile were involved in the multi-billion pork barrel scam while former Ilocos Norte governor Imee Marcos’ family has been accused of stashing billions of ill-gotten wealth.
Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno meanwhile said their track record sets them apart from the other senatorial aspirants.
“Kami po sa Otso Diretso may track record. Pero yung sa kabila, ibang klaseng record ang meron sila,” he said.
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano meanwhile denounced the administration’s drug war as well as its defeatist stand against China in the West Philippine Sea issue.
Incumbent Sen. Bam Aquino and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay were also at the school dialogue, while former presidential aspirant and Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas was a no-show. /je