‘Batang Cubao’ Roxas campaigns for last time in 2nd hometown

Thousands of supporters troop to Quezon Memorial Circle during the last campaign rally of Liberal Party on Saturday. 

Thousands of people from all walks of life flocked to Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday to express support for Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas and running mate Leni Robredo.

Yellow-wearing supporters gathered as Roxas, Robredo and LP’s senatorial candidates held a miting de avance on the last day of campaign before the elections on Monday.

Roxas, although a native of Capiz, has been a longtime resident of Cubao, Quezon City.

“Batang QC si Mar, batang Cubao (Mar is a kid from QC, from Cubao). (Quezon City) is his second hometown,” said Daang Matuwid coalition spokesperson and Akbayan Rep. Barry Gutierrez.

“This is also one of our strongest bases of support, the city of Speaker Sonny Belmonte, Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and Quezon City Representatives Kit Belmonte, Alfred Vargas, Bolet Banal, Winnie Castelo, and Boy Calalay.”

Members of the crowd, including some from the religious sector, were seen carrying placards bearing the words “Roxas Robredo Panalo! (Roxas Robredo Win!)” at the gathering.

As the audience waited for Roxas’ and Robredo’s arrival, senatorial hopefuls Ina Ambolodto, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros, Mark Lapid and reelectionist Teofisto Guingona took turns in giving their last campaign speeches.

President Benigno Aquino III is also set to give a speech during the program.

Former Justice Secretary De Lima in her speech slammed presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, saying his iron-fist style of leadership did not have a place in this democratic country.

“Tayo ay mga disenteng Pilipino. Walang lugar dito para sa mga berdugo. Huwag nating payagan na bumalik tayo sa kadiliman at sa diktaturya 0We are decent Filipinos. There is no room here for killers. Let’s not allow ourselves to be brought back to darkness and dictatorship),” she said as the crowd cheered.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista welcomed his constituents as well as supporters from other cities and pitched for Roxas and Robredo, who he said were the “most deserving” to become president and vice president.

He also took a swipe at the opponents of Roxas—the “hotheaded” Duterte, “inexperienced” Sen. Grace Poe, and “corrupt” Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“Hindi pwedeng leader ka pero mainit ulo mo, pero kapos karanasan mo, pero may bahid ang iyong pagkatao. Kailangan kung ikaw ay pangulo ikaw ay may integridad (You can’t be a leader but you’re hot-headed, or you lack experience, or your name is tarnished. If you are the president you should have integrity),” said Bautista.

Among the celebrities present were “diamond star” Maricel Soriano, Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, singers Noel Cabangon, Frenchie Dy and Jett Pangan, and standup comedians MC and Lassie. There will be performances from several acts before the program ends.

Soriano, in a brief message, said this was her first time to endorse a politician and she made sure the first candidate she would support would not fail her and the Filipinos.