Promises, light moments cap launch of Poe-Escudero Senate slate
Vice presidential aspirant Sen. Chiz Escudero speaks before the crowd at Club Filipino in San Juan City on Thursday during the launch of the senatorial slate of Partido Galing at Puso. MAILA AGER/INQUIRER.net
Campaign promises, catchy slogans, cheers of supporters, and some light moments like a candidate forgetting the name of his own team, capped Thursday’s announcement of the senatorial slate of Senators Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
“Ako po si Win Gatchalian, inaalay ko po ang aking sarili bilang inyong senator sa ilalim po ng partidong Galing at …” said Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, who had to pause for a while to remember the full name of the slate, which was Partido Galing at Puso.
“Ipasok si Dick!!! Ipasok si Dick!!!” the crowd chanted at the jam-packed Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, when the slate’s campaign manager, Cebu Rep. Ace Durano, introduced former Sen. Richard Gordon.
“Thank you, thank you, relax lang po tayo …” Gordon told his supporters.
In his brief message, the former senator urged voters to pick the competent candidates and not just those who were popular and had money.
Article continues after this advertisement“Dapat tinitingnan natin yung kandidato natin, hindi yung mananalo, kung hindi may kakayahan …” Gordon said.
Article continues after this advertisement“Tayo po ay nagtrabaho sa Red Cross ng walang sweldo, volunteer for 48 years, kung hindi malasakit yan ewan ko na kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng malasakit,” he added.
Some senatorial bets like Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares and ACT CIS party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao used monikers to promote themselves and their advocacies.
Colmenares described himself as the “fighter ng bayan sa Senado” while Pagdilao called himself “Sir Chief” as he promised as a peaceful and orderly society.
“Kailangan po natin ng fighter ng bayan sa Senado. Ako si Colmenares. Just call me Neri, ang fighter ng bayan sa Senado,” said Colmenares.
For his part, Pagdilao said: “Ako po si Sir Chief sa tunay na buhay … Kay Sir Chief, safe ka sa krimen, droga at terorismo, safe ka laban sa katiwalian at korapsyon.”
Lawyer Lorna Kapunan boasted her 38 years of experience as a lawyer.
“Ipaglalaban ko po kayong lahat, 38 years as a lawyer, bring me to the Senate!” she said.
Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, in separate speeches, highlighted their perfect attendance in the Senate and the measures they pushed during their incumbency.
Durano said Sotto was “never late, never absent,” a senator for the Filipino family, and a partner in the fight against crimes and illegal drugs.
In his nine years as a congressman and four years as senator, Zubiri declared that he had not been tainted by corruption.
“Mahalaga po sa akin ang integrigad, ni minsan hindi po tayo sangkot sa kaninong listahan ng kawitiwalian. Wala po akong issue ng korapsyon dahil hindi po ako magnanakaw …” said the former senator.
Actor-host Edu Manzano vowed to strengthen Filipino families and provide job opportunities to prevent workers from leaving the country.
Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and OFWs advocate Susan Ople also batted for their own respective advocacies.
Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who was included in the slate, was represented by his son, Ryan. Maila Ager/RC
RELATED STORIES
Poe-Escudero’s ‘Partido Galing at Puso’ Senate slate launched
