Team PNoy bets campaign in Arroyo country

CANDABA, Philippines — Team PNoy senatorial candidates on Friday campaigned in Pampanga, the home province of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Only four senatorial bets, however, were present when the political rally at the Genuino Park here started at around 10 a.m.

The four were former Senator Ramon Magsaysay, former MTRCB chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares, former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros and Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

The other candidates were represented by their relatives.

Senator Loren Legarda was represented by her father, Tony; Aurora Representative Sonny Angara was represented by her mother, Gloria; and Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV was represented by wife, Timmy.

Senator Franklin Drilon, campaign manager of Team Pnoy, was also present in the rally.

Other senators, however, were also expected to join later with the team.

No less than President Benigno Aquino III was also expected to join his team in another rally this Friday afternoon.

Hontiveros, in a statement, insisted that Arroyo should still be an issue in the campaign.

“What the other slate misses is that this is not a personal assault against the former President. This is not Team PNoy versus GMA. This is about the nation standing up against corruption and abuse,” she said.

“We’ve been accused of refusing to move on from GMA [Gloria Macapagal Arroyo] issue. They reduce this as an issue of personalities, when there is nothing personal in our campaign for accountability.”

“This is about principles in action and we are fulfilling what we promised,” Hontiveros added.