LDP proceeds with campaign despite arrest of Senate bets

The Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Puwersa ng Masa (LDP-PnM) decided the other night to proceed with their campaign sorties in Bacolod City and Cebu and their miting de avance in Metro Manila despite the arrest order on four of their senatorial candidates.

Former Senate president Edgardo Angara, lead senatorial candidate of the opposition and LDP president, said all opposition leaders have vowed that they would not be cowed by the administration’s moves to virtually ground them.

The meeting was held without Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile who is under arrest, re-electionist Sen. Gregorio Honasan who is in hiding, and former Philippine National Police chief Panfilo Lacson, who also refuses to yield to authorities.

The three have been charged for their alleged role in the storming of Malacañang by rabid followers of jailed former President Joseph Estrada last Tuesday, Labor Day.

Angara said that Lacson was represented by former Political Affairs Adviser Lito Banayo and Honasan, by his chief of staff.

Re-electionist Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was also unable to attend and was represented by her husband, former Local Government Undersecretary Narciso Santiago Jr.

Angara said that the arrest order on the opposition senatorial candidates has immobilized them but this would not ground the entire team.

"The administration was very unfair to us. They wanted to cripple us but we will not succumb to their intimidation," Angara said defiantly.

The opposition slate will hold their campaign rally in Bacolod City on Tuesday and in Cebu City the following day.

"We will also proceed with our miting de avance in Metro Manila," Angara said.

The opposition claimed that the declaration of a state of rebellion in Metro Manila was a political move aimed at realizing the projected 13-0 sweep of the senatorial election.

Former Press Secretary Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr. said that he would deliver his usual style of speaking even if government agents would be monitoring all speakers.

"I will be emphatic but not fiery," said Puno, one of the "doves" in the opposition.