Mayoralty aspirant draws huge crowd during rallies

Unfazed by the presence of goons reportedly hired by his political rivals, Sun Shimura, the 24-year-old mayoralty candidate in Daanbantayan town, managed to draw thousands of supporters during his political rallies in barangays considered as bailiwicks of his opponents.

The rallies were held in barangays Maya, Tapilon and Bakhawan last April 28, 29 and 30.

Barangay Maya is the place of Vice Mayor Mariano "Nieve" Diaz, who is running for councilor with opposition mayoralty candidate Augusto "Dodong Itok" Corro.

Barangay Tapilon is where opposition councilorial candidate, retired Col. Hiram Benatiro, resides while Bakhawan is the bailiwick of lawyer Braulio Arriola, another opposition candidate for councilor.

"Tan-awon ta lang ni inig Mayo 14 og ila ba ning mga balwarte," Shimura, who is running under One Cebu party, told The Freeman yesterday.

Shimura said the goons from Davao del Norte who were reportedly hired by the opposition are nowhere to be found. "Sukad may nadakpan, ningkalma na sila."

Tonight, Shimura’s group will have a rally in barangay Talisay where he is also expected to gather a huge crowd.

He announced that they would stage a grand rally on May 5 at the grandstand of barangay Poblacion where he is expecting to draw over 10,000 supporters.

Expected to attend the grand rally are Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr., fourth district congressional candidate Benhur Salimbangon and the two candidates for Provincial Board, Jose Ribomapil "Joeyboy’ Holganza and lawyer Joven "Venjun" Mondigo Jr.

Shimura is the son of incumbent Mayor Maria Luisa Loot, who is running for vice mayor under his slate. — Gregg M. Rubio/LPM