Fund lack a positive for anti-‘epal’ bet Casiño

INDEPENDENT senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño leads friends and supporters in a run at the launch of his fund-challenged campaign. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CANDABA, Pampanga—His face is splashed on buses plying routes in Metro Manila and central and southern Luzon. At times, he stands onstage with administration or opposition candidates.

Has Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño gone “epal” or adopted the credit- or attention-grabbing ways of politicians he derides as he seeks a Senate seat under the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan)?

But Casiño, who was guest during the sixth Ibon-Ebon (Bird and Egg) Festival here on Saturday, said he is not an epal politician.

For a candidate with very little money, he said visibility is important.

He said his face landed on ad spaces of buses after two transport firms—Victory Liner and Jac Liner—endorsed his candidacy. He got the firms’ support after he authored a bill seeking regular salaries for drivers.

Being onstage with United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidate Nancy Binay on Saturday was unplanned, he said.

He preferred to be an independent and alternative candidate.

Unlike several candidates of the UNA and the Liberal Party, who hung their streamers all over the town, Casiño has only his shirt and face to show to voters. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon