3 Senate bets visit Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Three senatoriables visited Cebu over the weekend --former Senator Emmanuel “Pacman” Pacquiao, reelectionist Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, and Sagip Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta.

All of them also paid a visit to Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The Pambansang Kamao conducted a three-day “inspirational tour” from November 20 to 22 in Cebu, as part of his nationwide tour where he engages with various communities across the country.

He went to Talisay City, the City of Naga, and the towns of Oslob, Badian, Moalboal, and Pinamungajan, together with some motorcycle drivers and they visited local officials and their constituents.

On his second day, Pacquiao visited the Cebu Normal University, Cebu Doctor’s University, and visited the governor at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

In CNU where students welcomed him, he promised to help restore the 122-year-old CNU Administrative Building, which was severely damaged during the magnitude 5.1 earthquake last September 29.

“You have my commitment. Tutulong ako," said Pacquiao in a statement posted at the Ang Suga Publication, the official Facebook page of CNU.

At CDU, he was also welcomed by the university students.

At the Capitol, he commended the governor for her leadership and commitment to the province. According to Sugbo News, the official Facebook page of the provincial government, as a gesture of appreciation and support for Cebu, the boxing icon presented the governor with a pair of signed gloves.

Pacquiao also met local officials, members of the provincial federation of the Sangguniang Kabataan in the entire province, and Cebuano content creators, who were at the Capitol for a meeting with Garcia.

On day three of his tour, he went to Bogo City and the towns of Sogod, Compostela, and Tuburan.

Meanwhile, reelectionist Senator Tolentino joined the first day of the three-day Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Southern Heritage Trail from November 22 to 24.

Tolentino, who thanked the governor for the invitation, then went on to visit the towns of Minglanilla, San Fernando, Sibonga, and Argao.

Tolentino praised the food like the halo-halo from San Fernando served during the Suroy-Suroy and said he was impressed by the culture, heritage, and spirituality brought about by the event.

“Every time I go to Cebu, I learned and experienced something new,” he said in his speech, and even named San Fernando as the “Land of Heroic Waves”, saying that the waves are resilient with their ups and downs.

San Fernando aims to be the surfing capital with its beautiful waves, he said.

Senatorial aspirant Marcoleta also visited the governor, whom he called as “best friend”.

“She’s my best friend and I cannot leave Cebu in whatever manner without dropping by and seeing my best friend. I learned so much from her,” said Marcoleta in an interview with Sugbo News.

Marcoleta recalled his time spent as the governor’s colleague during the 17th Congress when she served as the representative of Cebu’s 3rd District from 2016 to 2019.

Marcoleta admired her sharp intellect, principles, and debating skills, which he said often left others in silence.

“I thought she was a lawyer because she argues very well. When she speaks, she speaks logically and analytically. She spoke like a lawyer and I think she’s better than a real lawyer. Ganun ko siya nakita,” Marcoleta added.

He also praised Garcia for her consistency and dedication in pursuing the truth.

“She’s a feisty lady. She’s very consistent, parang pareho kami ng ugali. Kung ano yung tama, we will always pursue the truth and we will fight for it, whatever it takes,” he added.

Marcoleta was in Cebu attending the Arangkada Filipino Partylist Forum held at the Sacred Heart Center in Cebu City. — (FREEMAN)