Presidential aspirant and Vice President Jejomar Binay addresses the crowd in front of the San Miguel municipal hall during his campaign sortie on Thursday in Bulacan. Behind him is former Bulacan governor Roberto Pagdanganan. MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/INQUIRER.net
SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan – Former Bulacan governor Roberto Pagdanganan on Thursday said he is confident the province can deliver votes for Vice President Jejomar Binay in the upcoming May elections.
In an interview during Binay’s campaign sortie, Pagdanganan, who served as Bulacan governor from 1987 to 1998, said local politicians despite differences in their support in the gubernatorial race are one in supporting Binay’s presidential bid.
“Nakakarelate ang mga taga Bulacan sa ginawa niya sa Makati, yung nakapag-aral ng libre ang mga bata, ang mga nagkakasakit hindi gumagastos ng malaki, ang mga senior citizen nagkakaroon ng pribilehiyo,” said Pagdanganan, who also served as Agrarian Reform secretary from 2003 to 2004.
(The people of Bulacan can relate to what he did in Makati, where children can study for free, the sick need not spend much [to get well] and the senior citizens have privileges.)
Pagdanganan said Binay’s wife Elenita Sombillo hailed from Angat and is the daughter of former Angat vice mayor.
“Nagkakaisa kaming lahat para kay (We unite for) Vice President Binay… Binay will win big in Bulacan. I am confident about that, because we can relate to him,” Pagdanganan said.
For the 2016 elections, Bulacan has 1,640,615 registered voters.
In 2010, Binay won in the vice presidential race against Liberal Party bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II by over 150,000 votes.
Binay got 559,241 votes while Roxas got 408,011 votes.
Binay first arrived at the San Miguel municipal hall where he stepped on his motorcade truck to address the crowd.
Binay told the crowd that his wife Elenita is a native of Bulacan.
He repeated his promise of giving free social services in the country the same way he did in Makati when he was mayor.
READ: Binay reunites with ‘lookalike’ cousin in Aurora sortie
He urged the residents not to be swayed by the political advertisements and instead choose candidates based on experience.
“Nandito na naman ako ngayon dahil sa aking pakiramdam, simula ng araw na ito, tayo ay hindi na madadala ng mga kung anu ano ang mga advertisements sa inyong pagboto. Simula ng araw na ito, titingnan ninyo talaga sino ang may kakayahan at karanasan at may malasakit sa ating kababayan,” Binay said, with Pagdanganan looking on behind him on the motorcade truck.
(I am here again because I feel that on this day, we will no longer be swayed by various advertisements in your vote. Starting today, you will truly scrutinize who has the skills and the experience and concern for our people.)
Binay also endorsed his running mate Sen. Gringo Honasan who accompanied him in his campaign sortie.
He is scheduled to visit San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Baliuag, Pulilan and Calumpit. CDG
