Liberal Party (LP) chairman, President Benigno S. Aquino III, campaigns for LP standard bearer Mar Roxas and running mate Leni Robredo (Photo by Joseph Vidal/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
ILOILO CITY — President Aquino and his allies in Iloilo pulled out all the stops, on Tuesday, in calling for support for standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and running mate, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, six days before the national and local elections.
“There is no reason for Iloilo and Panay Island not to go 100 percent for Mar,”the President said before 800 mostly barangay health workers at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center.
The President was the main guest in the national launching of the ceremony of the expanded human papillomavirus vaccination program.
“Let us take sides with those who should win (in the elections),” he said.
He called Roxas the “most qualified” and a “true son of Panay.”
Roxas hails from Capiz, one of the Hiligaynon-speaking provinces of Western Visayas.
President Aquino also appealed to Ilonggos to support Robredo.
The President cited the various achievements of his administration in public health, including the expansion of vaccination programs, and the construction of more hospitals, barangay health centers and stations.
The budget of the Department of Health tripled under his term, according to the President.
He said only Roxas could continue the gains in health services and other programs of his administration.
President Aquino along with Roxas, Robredo and Senate President Franklin Drilon earlier visited Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo at the prelate’s residence in Jaro District on Tuesday afternoon.
Lagdameo is a former president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
The province and the city of Iloilo are among the areas considered as a bailiwick of the ruling Liberal Party (LP).
The LP also launched its national campaign here last Feb. 9.
Iloilo officials lauded the President for his support of programs and projects that have benefited the province, especially the massive public work projects in the last five years that have significantly transformed the city into a bustling and modern urban center.
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor said they could ensure the continuation of development projects in Iloilo by supporting Roxas for the presidency.
According to Defensor, Roxas is the best chance for Western Visayas to produce a president after his grandfather Manuel Roxas who served from 1946 to 1948.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog expressed confidence Ilonggos would overwhelmingly support Roxas and Robredo.
A survey of the LP showed that Roxas had 55 percent of the support of Iloilo City voters among the five presidential candidates, Mabilog said.
At the miting de avance of LP candidates in Iloilo City at the Plazoletagay, LP leaders danced and chanted as they roused about 15,000 supporters to support Roxas and Robredo.
“Maintain, sustain and continue,” Mabilog led the chant.
Drilon also appealed for support for the tandem.
“We are proud to say that Iloilo is Roxas-Robredo country,” Drilon said.
While not mentioning his name, Iloilo City Jerry Treñas hit Davao City Rodrigo Duterte, citing his remarks of closing Congress if there was opposition to his anti-corruption and anti-illegal drugs program.
He said this brought memories of his detention at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan during the Martial Law period when he was fighting against the Marcos dictatorship. SFM