BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur—What Duterte country?
Stung by accusation that the photos of packed venues during their campaign sorties have been altered, the political machinery of ruling Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas flexed its muscles, mustering more than 50,000 people in a whirlwind three-province swing in the Caraga region on Mindanao on Monday.
Along with his running mate, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, President Aquino’s anointed successor flew to Tandag, Surigao del Sur, where they were endorsed by the politically influential Pimentel and Pichay clans.
The pair was then met by about 15,000 residents in their next stop in San Francisco, a first class municipality in the second district of Agusan del Sur.
Waiting crowd
An even bigger crowd waited for about six hours on Monday in this Agusan del Sur capital city for Roxas and Robredo who arrived at the rally venue in front of the city hall here about 8 p.m.
“They say that the pictures of our political rallies were made up and were just computer-generated,” Roxas told the crowd of about 20,000 people who had occupied a 500-meter stretch of the national highway which was temporarily closed for the event.
“Now, I say to them. You should come to Bayugan and see for yourselves the cooperation and the trust given to daang matuwid (straight path) by the people here,” he said to enthusiastic applause.
In his speech, Agusan del Sur Gov. Eddiebong Plaza of the National Unity Party reiterated his support for Roxas and Robredo, a tandem which, he said, would “surely lead us to economic prosperity.”
“They have been asking me who I will support in the elections. I told them I have already made my commitment,” Plaza said before he introduced Roxas as the “next President of the Philippines.”
“This could be the biggest crowd I have seen in this campaign… I hope that you would vote for us not because the governor told you so, but because you believe that this is the right thing to do,” Roxas said.
“I will bring the image I saw here tonight as an inspiration and a source of strength as we continue in our campaign. Please tell your neighbors and family members the good news you heard this evening.”
The administration candidates then flew to Cabadbaran town in the province of Agusan del Norte to address a crowd of about 15,000 in a rally that ended just before midnight.
Speaking with reporters, Roxas said he was elated at the kind of support he and Robredo have been receiving in Mindanao, widely regarded as the bailiwick of his rival, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Sought for his comment on allegations that his media team altered some photos of his campaign rallies to make it appear that the venues were packed, he said: “You yourselves can attest to the warm welcome the people gave me and (Robredo). You saw how the people shook hands with us, embraced us and kissed us.”
He said he chose to ignore the insinuations of his political rivals who, he said, could not gather the same number of people who have been showing up in the LP campaign sorties.
No manipulation
“What you’re seeing here is the truth. We’re not manipulating anything. We only show what is true,” he said.
Asked if the common notion that Mindanao is a “Duterte country” was true, he said: “I think it’s not. The people are here. They came from different towns to show their support for daang matuwid.”
For Robredo, the big crowd turnout was proof that “Mindanao is not Duterte country.”
“Mayor Duterte could have a stronghold in certain parts of Mindanao, but you can see that we also have genuine support here. You can see in the reaction of the people that they are really looking forward to seeing us,” she told reporters.
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