Ailing Tarlac man finds opportunity at poll precinct

President Benigno Aquino III casts his vote during the Barangay Elections in Precinct #175A, Central Azucarera de Tarlac Elementary School, Barangay Central, Tarlac City. LYN RILLON

TARLAC CITY—Even if he can hardly walk, 75-year-old Domingo Simon made sure he didn’t miss the barangay (village) elections on Monday.

Assisted by his wife, Lourdes, the former sugarcane farmhand struggled to fill out his ballot. But even at an advanced age, he still clung to the belief that the next batch of village officials could make a difference for him.

At 11 a.m., his opportunity walked into Precinct No. 175-A of Central Azucarera de Tarlac Elementary School here. It was none other than President Aquino, who was with his sisters Ballsy and Pinky.

LIST OF NAMES. President Aquino consults his list of candidates as he votes at Precinct No. 175-A at Central Azucarera de Tarlac Elementary School in Barangay San Miguel, Tarlac City. LYN RILLON

Wearing a blue sports shirt and smiling before TV cameras, the country’s most powerful man noticed the frail, old man seated near the exit, a cane beside him. The President asked about him and that was when Simon grabbed the chance to seek help for his gall bladder ailment.

Simon said Aquino promised to have him taken to a doctor the following day.

He said the President had also vowed to help him with his pension, which he claimed he could not get because he was 18 months short of eligibility.

“It seems that I got my life extended,” he told reporters in Filipino. “Before, I thought I wouldn’t be alive for the next election. But now, I found hope.”

The encounter with Simon, a father of six children and who has been sick since 1962, provided the highlight to an otherwise uneventful Election Day for Aquino in his home province.

The President spent only around 15 minutes at the elementary school to cast his vote and greet supporters. He was fifth on Precinct No. 175-A’s list of 287 voters.

After engaging in small talk with Senior Supt. Alfred Corpus, provincial police director, and Fernando Cot-om, provincial election supervisor, Aquino quietly filled out his ballot and left.

Simon lingered on with a newfound hope. “I’m very thankful. I’m very lucky on this Election Day because I met Noynoy. I told him my problem,” the old man said.—With a report from Jo Clemente, Inquirer Central Luzon

Originally posted: 8:44 pm | Monday, October 28th, 2013

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