Ranking low in surveys, Leody De Guzman banks on votes of ‘Filipino masses’

Photo Courtesy of Ka Leody De Guzman Facebook Page

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Leody De Guzman is banking on the votes of the “Filipino masses”—such as workers and farmers—as he remains optimistic of his chances in the May 9 elections despite falling behind in recent surveys.

De Guzman, a labor leader, admitted that compared to other presidential candidates, he has fewer funds to use for the campaign period. On top of this, he said his name is less popular compared to his fellow presidential candidates.

“Kung chance ay malaki naman ang tsansa. May pinanghahawakan kami dahil ang aking plataporma ay eksaktong nada-address doon sa pinakamalaking sektor ng ating lipunan—yung mga manggagawa, at mga magsasaka, ‘yung masang Pilipino,” De Guzman said in an interview with CNN Philippines  on Thursday.

(If we’re just talking about chances, there is a huge chance. My platform exactly addresses the largest sector in the country—the workers and the farmers, the Filipino masses.)

“At doon ako umaasa na bago ang pagpunta nila sa botohan ay maka-connect sila na ‘yung aking bitbit na issue, plataporma ay issue nila na matagal na nilang kahilingan. Thirty years ago pa nilang inilalaban ‘yan na walang pumapansin sa mga nagdaang administrasyon,” he added.

(And that’s what I’m banking on—that when they vote, I was able to connect with them with my platform which addresses issues that they have long fought for. They have been fighting for these for the past 30 years and they are ignored by the previous administrations.)

De Guzman said he is attending media interviews to help him with his campaign and to introduce himself to the public to share his platform and utilize social media to have a wider reach.

“Gusto na rin naming ipaabot na ‘yung eleksyon ay hindi lamang pagpapanalo. Kasi kung pagpapanalo nga lang, ay tama yun, sikat at bilyonaryo, sapat sapat na ‘yun para manalo,” De Guzman said.

(This election is not just about winning. If it’s just about winning, then being popular and rich is enough to win.)

“Pero ang issue ay hindi lang yun—yung panunungkulan matapos manalo. Pwedeng manalo sa eleksyon ‘yung ating mga botante, pero matatalo sila sa loob ng anim na taon ng kanilang ipinanalo dahil wala namang klarong tugon doon są problema ng masa,” De Guzman said.

(But the issue here is also about the service after winning. Our voters can win in the election, but lose when the candidate they pushed for the win does not have a platform to address the problems of the masses.)

In the same interview, De Guzman was asked who he wants to win the presidential race if it would not be him. He did not give an answer but stated that he does not want former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to win.

“Pwede bang blangko muna? Kasi lahat sila naka-in line doon sa neoliberal policy na buhayin ang mga negosyo at ‘pag umunlad sila ay aawas din ang bulsa nila magti-trickle down, makikinabang ang tao. Hindi totoo ‘yun eh,” De Guzman said.

(Can we leave it on blank for now? All of them are in line with neoliberal policy that they will revive businesses and when businesses grow, it will trickle down to the people. That’s not true.)

“Sabihin ko lang yung ayokong manalo pwede ba? Ayokong manalo si Marcos,”  he added.

(I will just say who I do not want to win. I don’t want Marcos to win.)

In his proclamation rally on Tuesday, De Guzman said he will push for a government and an economy of the masses.

“It should be a government of the people, not of the millionaires. The people should come first, not profits, because for the longest time, the people in our government have come from the top of the society — the millionaires, the capitalists, and the landlords,” De Guzman said.

/MUF