Former Senator Ernesto Maceda. FILE PHOTO
AGOO, La Union, Philippines—Thanks to the wonders of science, the oldest candidate in the May 13 senatorial election has managed to keep up with the grueling campaign.
So far, 78-year-old former Senate President Ernesto Maceda said Friday, he has not gotten sick despite a tough campaign schedule that usually requires him to travel from one province to another—all thanks to the stem cell therapy he got for P600,000 at a medical facility in Germany in March last year.
“I am now convinced that my stem cell therapy is effective and that’s the reason why I’ve been able to keep up with the rigorous campaign schedule,” he told reporters before climbing the campaign stage at the Eriguel compound.
Maceda said the therapy was relatively cheap, noting that it would have cost him around P2.5 million if he had it in the Philippines. And it was worth it, he said.
“I feel 20 years younger,” he said.
Maceda joined a growing list of aging politicians who have resorted to stem cell therapy. They include Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, 89, and former President Joseph Estrada, who celebrated his 76th birthday Friday.
Responding to a question by a TV reporter, Vice President Jejomar Binay said he does not need it yet.
The UNA campaign schedule is no walk in the park.
Candidates went around Pangasinan for two days, seeking support from the provinces 1.5 milliom registered voters.
They proceeded to La Union on Friday and were scheduled to campaign in Ilocos Sur on Saturday and Ilocos Norte the following day.
After a brief break, they will fly to Zamboanga City on Monday then stump Dumaguete City on Wednesday.
Besides the rejuvenating therapy he got in Germany, Maceda is banking on another secret weapon to keep him going: multivitamins and malunggay pills.