Otso Diretso supporters came prepared with umbrellas and raincoats at the UP Diliman Sunken Garden on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (Photo GABRIEL PABICO LALU / INQUIRER.net)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Despite a downpour, Otso Diretso candidates, volunteers, and supporters stayed at the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UP-Diliman) for their “This is 8” thanksgiving party on Wednesday.
The opposition candidates took turns addressing supporters during the program at UP Diliman’s Sunken Garden.
The candidates are Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, reelectionist Sen. Bam Aquino, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, and former House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada.
Madalo Rep. Gary Alejano (left) takes a group shot on stage at the UP Diliman Sunken Garden on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. With him (going right, front) are human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, (from left, back) Sen. Bam Aquino, former House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. (Photo by GABRIEL PABICO LALU / INQUIRER.net)
Vice President Leni Robredo and opposition Senators Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Franklin Drilon, and Antonio Trillanes IV also attended the event.
The Otso Diretso senatorial candidates took turns speaking at the UP Diliman Sunken Garden on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. (Photo by PATHRICIA ANN V. ROXAS / INQUIRER.net)
Several artists and bands supportive of the Otso Diretso also performed — including Autotelic, Imago, Truefaith, Noel Cabangon, Bituin Escalante, Paraluman, Mark Ghosn, BAON Collective, Ebe Dancel, Cooky Chua, Bayang Barrios, Jana Garcia, Room for Cielo, Jam Pascual, Gracenote, and Better Days.
The program was the last major sortie of the opposition candidates before the midterm elections on Monday, May 13.
/atm