As campaign period starts, huge crowd at UNA rally

MANILA, Philippines - Despite scattered rainshowers, an estimated 25,000 crowd attended the proclamation rally of the United Nationalist Alliance at the Plaza Independencia last night.

The event was attended by UNA senatorial candidates Nancy Binay, Tingting Cojuangco, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Mitos Magsaysay, Richard Gordon, JV Ejercito Estrada, Jack Enrile, Ernesto Maceda and Gringo Honasan.

Three UNA candidates Grace Poe, Loren Legarda and Chiz Escudero did not show up since they were with the Team PNoy rally in Manila last night.

Poe was represented by his son, Ryan, while Loren was represented by his father, Tony.

The so-called UNA’s three kings, Vice President Jejomar Binay, former president Joseph Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile also attended the event.

Binay, in his speech, asked the crowd to support their national and local candidates.

He highlighted the problems of the country that UNA wanted to address, including on food security, employment opportunities, poverty and education.

Binay said that even with the current reforms being made, there are still a lot of things to be done.

“Yes reform is needed and we support reform but reform should benefit everyone,” said Binay.

“Growth is not only for the businessmen and the rich, but for everyone. Dapat lahat makinabang sa pag-unlad,” he said.

Binay also said that he believes that suspended Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia is a victim of bad politics.

“I sincerely believe that she does not deserve to be unseated,” explaining that Garcia has accomplished a lot for the province.

One Cebu support

Garcia expressed her gratitude of the support she has been getting from UNA.

“I think we have proven in times past that the candidates we will support especially the senatorial slate in 2007, Cebu lang naka deliver ng most number of senators for Team Unity when they practically faced a massacre on the national scene. We have the most number of mayors, Local Government Units, incumbent officials, so we remain strong,” she said

UNA spokesperson Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco said that they are grateful for the support from Garcia as proven by the warm welcome by the Cebuanos.

Tiangco admitted that a 12-0 win over the Liberal Party senatorial slate is difficult. 

The candidates distributed T shirts to the crowd before and after their speech.

Movie stars Ruffa and Raymon Gutierrez, Sam Pinto and Sheryl Cruz entertained the crowd.

The candidates were each given seven minutes to speak on their platform, promising an independent Senate once they win. They also promised to stop corruption and end poverty in the country, among others.

In his speech, Enrile criticized the administration of President Aquino for the unabated rice smuggling in the country.

“Maraming dumi sa daang matuwid na yan. Masikip ang tuwid na daan. Aanhin ang daang matuwid kung marami ang nagpapanggap na malinis?” he said.

At 6 p.m., around 25,000 UNA supporters gathered at the Plaza Independencia to attend the rally, occupying the whole 1.6-hectare plaza.

Cebu City Police Office head Mariano Natuel, Jr. said no untoward incident was reported to the police.

As of 5:30 p.m. Natuel said they had to close the road leading to the venue owing to traffic congestion. One side of the Legaspi Extension was utilized as parking area for the VIPs.

The CCPO head deployed 70 policemen to secure the event, apart from the personnel of the Crowd Dispersal Management and traffic enforcers.

Warm welcome

Tiangco said they were surprised by the warm acceptance of Cebu during their motorcade earlier in the day.

“Nagulat kami,” said Tiangko after a lunch meeting with the senatorial slate.

“Hindi kasi namin balwarte to in the past,” he said, stressing that they were very happy that they chose Cebu as venue for the proclamation rally.

Tiangco said Garcia’s One Cebu and the Team Rama of Cebu City mayor Michael Rama were a big help to their campaign.

He said the cases that Garcia is currently facing have no negative effect to the campaign of the senatorial slate.

Holy Mass

Yesterday morning, a Mass was held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral officiated by Monsignor Roberto Alesna and was attended by Binay and Enrile.

With them were Garcia, Cebu City Councilor and Team Rama candidate Edgardo Labella and Mayor Mike Rama.

In his homily, Alesna reiterated the message of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

“Elected leaders should focus on public service and politicians are encouraged to leave a legacy of good performance and development,” he told national and local UNA candidates.

The Mass was initially scheduled to be officiated by Archbishop

Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

In a press conference at his residence, Vidal extended his message to the senatoriables.

“Be honest in your campaign,” he said.

He then urged the public to “pray that good leaders win.” – With Niña G. Sumacot/LPM  (FREEMAN)