JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net
A show of force for administration bets Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Camarines Sur Representative Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo, the Liberal Party (LP) gathered its members and allies at the historic Club Filipino less than a month before the upcoming elections in May.
A sea of yellow composed of cabinet secretaries, district representatives, governors, mayors and beneficiaries of government programs supporting Roxas and Robredo filled the Kalayaan Hall on Thursday morning.
It was in the same hall where the tandem officially announced their candidacies for the 2016 elections.
The lively mood inside the hall turned solemn when veteran performer Gary Valenciano led the invocation and sang “Lead me Lord.”
Afterward, a marching band played as Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, the host of the program, went onstage. One by one, he introduced to the crowd the LP members and supporters present in the event.
Also in attendance were the senatorial candidates of the “Daang Matuwid” coalition.
Before the main guests including President Benigno Aquino III graced the stage, LP politicians from different provinces pledged to deliver votes for the administration bets.
Beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and transport groups also delivered testimonies on how Roxas and Robredo helped them and supported their causes.
According to the administration-backed coalition, this is the first time in history that an overwhelming majority of local and national candidates are running under the ruling party. Many of them are running unopposed.
READ: Comelec names LP dominant party
Out of 234 districts from all provinces in the country, 197 candidates for district representatives are members or allies of the ruling party. Thirty one are running unopposed.
The LP also holds the majority of candidates for governors, with 67 allies from 87 provinces nationwide. Eight are running unopposed.
The ruling party also has edge in the mayoral race. Of the 34 cities in the country, 23 are members and allies of LP. RAM
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