Roxas, LP bets visit Arroyo home province

Liberal Party vice presidential bet Leni Robredo takes the stage during the administration bets’ sortie in Pampanga. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga—Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas and administration-led “Daang Matuwid” coalition candidates visited on Thursday the capital city of Pampanga, the home province of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Accompanying the administration bets in the meeting with 15,000 supporters at the San Fernando Capitol grounds is President Benigno Aquino III. The vote-rich province is the turf of Pampanga second district Rep. Arroyo. It houses 1.2 million registered voters.

The supporters are composed of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Bottom-Up Budgeting beneficiaries, and local and community leaders from multi-sectoral groups.

READ: Aquino: Future of poor hangs on my successor

The conditional cash transfer scheme was initiated during the administration of Arroyo and continued in Aquino’s term.

In the media advisory from Malacañang, it said beneficiaries of government programs will give testimonies during the program.

Among the local officials present are Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, a known ally of Arroyo, Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda, San Fernando City Mayor Ed Santiago, Pampanga District Representatives Yeng Guiao and Oscar Rodriguez, LP Pampanga provincial chair.

READ: Arroyo ex-executive secretary Ermita backs Roxas, Robredo

Outside the venue, thousands of supporters lined up under scorching heat to gain entry to the Capitol grounds.

While waiting for the arrival of the President, LP senatorial bets delivered speeches introducing themselves to the Kapampangan audience.

The senatorial candidates, including Senate President Franklin Drilon and former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) head Joel Villanueva, urged San Fernando locals to vote for LP candidates for the continuation and expansion of the 4Ps and PhilHealth programs.

After the program, Roxas, Robredo and the senatorial bets will tour San Fernando City in a motorcade. IDL