Duterte taking campaign direct to Pangasinan folk

PDP-Laban Presidential bet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte campaigns in Lingayen town in vote-rich Pangasinan. PHOTO by Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — “I will campaign directly to the people,” said Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte amid reports that political leaders here support his rivals.

Duterte arrived in the vote-rich province on Wednesday morning in a bid to woo the Pangasinense votes.

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“Well, I’ll just campaign direct to the people if I don’t get the leaders’ (support),” he said at the provincial capitol after meeting with Gov. Amando Espino.

Espino is a member of the Liberal Party, whose standard bearer is former Interior secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Asked about his meeting with Espino, the tough-talking mayor remained mum.

“I cannot talk about it. I don’t have the authority,” he said.

He cited that in vote-rich Cebu, political stalwarts had expressed their support to his rival.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III has expressed support for Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II while suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is supporting vice president Jejomar Binay.

But despite his rivals’ backing from political clans, Duterte remains unfazed.

Duterte and his tandem Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has been going around the country for their listening tour.

Dubbed as “Ronda-Serye,” the tandem talks directly to the people to present their platforms.

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