Thousands flock at San Jose del Monte, Bulacan to attend the campaign rally of the senatorial slate of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan on Thursday, February 14, 2019. INQUIRER.net photo / Cathrine Gonzales
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Philippines—The ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) hits the ground running as it kicked off on Thursday its campaign trail here in the province of Bulacan.
The party’s chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte, is expected to grace the event to endorse the Senate bid of PDP-Laban’s five-man slate.
Running under PDP-Laban banner are reelectionist Sen. Koko Pimentel, former Presidential aide Bong Go, former chief of police Ronald Dela Rosa, former Presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino and Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu.
Duterte is also expected to endorse the party’s seven senatorial “guest candidates.”
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Duterte’s “personal” choices include Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Sen. JV Ejercito, Sen. Sonny Angara, folk singer Freddie Aguilar, former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, and Sen. Cynthia Villar, all of whom are either allies or supporters of his administration.
Posters of other senatorial candidates being endorsed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago are also posted here at the campaign rally of PDP-Laban in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan on Thursday, February 14, 2019. INQUIRER.net photo / Cathrine Gonzales
PDP-Laban’s campaign manager, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, is also expected to attend the event.
San Jose del Monte City is the bailiwick of Rep. Florida Robes and her husband, Mayor Arthur Robes, who are known supporters of Duterte.
In 2017, Rep. Robles filed a bill seeking to declare March 28, the President’s birthday, a special working holiday. /jpv
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The stage is ready for the kickoff of the campaign rally of PDP-Laban’s senatorial slate at San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan on Thursday, February 14, 2019. INQUIRER.net photo / Cathrine Gonzales