Angara predicts Puwersa sweep in North

The opposition Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Puwersa ng Masa will sweep the senatorial elections in the North, former Senate President Edgardo Angara predicted yesterday.

Angara, lead candidate for senator of the opposition coalition, said that their recent barnstorming in the Ilocos confirmed their belief that the region is a solid opposition country.

"We will win big in Ilocos Norte, Abra, Benguet, Baguio City and La Union," he said.

He admitted that the opposition will have a difficult time in Ilocos Sur, home province of Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson.

"That is understandable. Chavit is a sort of a folk hero in Ilocos Sur," Angara said.

The opposition needs to get at least seven of the 13 seats at stake in the May 14 senatorial elections to keep the majority in the Senate. Angara is confident that the opposition can win at least that number despite survey results.

The other opposition candidates are re-electionist Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Gregorio Honasan, former Press Secretary Ricardo Puno, former First Lady Dr. Luisa Ejercito, former Philippine National Police chief Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, former Presidential Adviser on Children’s Affairs Jamby Madrigal, former Sen. Santanina Rasul, Dr. Ombra Tamano, television personality Noli de Castro, former Public Information Undersecretary Reuben Canoy and former Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado.

Angara said that during the last few weeks of the campaign, they will concentrate on the big cities in Mindanao in a bid to win big in the island.

Surveys are conceding Mindanao to the opposition. Angara said they want to maximize their lead in Mindanao, with the help of their candidates from the island – Rasul, Tamano and Canoy.

Angara pointed out that the administration ticket did not even see it fit to field a candidate for senator from Mindanao.

He also said that during the home stretch of the campaign, the opposition will sew up some loose ends in the provinces where they are perceived to be weak. – Efren Danao