Thousands gather in Maguindanao for Team PNoy proclamation rally

BULUAN, Philippines – Thousands of  people gathered  here on  Friday for the proclamation rally of  the local candidates of Team PNoy, led by re-electionist Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

No less than President Benigno Aquino III is expected to join later in the day to endorse the local and senatorial candidates.

Mangudadatu estimated that the   crowd who  showed up at  the Peace Center Compound in Barangay Poblacion was between 50,000 and 70,000.

“Siguro aabot ito ng 50,000 to 70,000 kasi bawat mayor naming nagdala ng mahigit 1,000. Ninety percent of the whole mayors of Maguindanao ee nasa akin,”  he told reporters before the start of the  rally.

Mangudadatu  was confident  that  his province could deliver from 60 to 70 percent or 280, 000 to 300,000 votes for the administration’s senatorial ticket.

Maguindanao, he said,  has a voting population of  more than 400,000.

“Wala na po kasing 12-0 pero kampante ako, mananalo silang lahat,”  he said.

At least  three senatorial bets—re-electionist  Senator Aquilino  “Koko” Pimentel III, former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and former  Akbayan Representative  Risa Hontiveros—were present even before the start of the event.

“I’m very happy to be here in Maguindanao, hopefully this time, I will leave the place with fond memories,”  Pimentel,  who   claimed he was cheated in 2007,  said in a separate interview.

He said a 12-0 victory from  this province was still  possible but this time, he said this would come from the real votes  of the people here.

“Alam mo possible ang 12-0 pero kami nag a-aspire kami ng 12-0 pero sa tamang paraan, from the votes of the people, real votes of the people,” Pimentel added.