"The campaign is making me healthier. When you are heavy, you get tired faster and because of the campaign, I sweat a lot. I’m becoming healthier," Roco told reporters during a campaign sortie in a squatters’ colony in East Triangle, Barangay Pinyahan in Quezon City.
Roco, 62, admitted that before the campaign period started on Feb. 10 he weighed 205 pounds. "Now, I am 190 pounds," he said.
Roco, standard-bearer of the Alyansa ng Pag-asa (Alliance of Hope), also observed that his blood sugar level has gone down because of constant sweating while doing rounds of campaigning for the May 10 elections.
Roco’s campaign sorties in the provinces so far took him and his party to his bulwark in Bicol, Cebu, Davao, Laguna and Batangas.
Roco, a former education secretary, has been visiting schools in Metro Manila where he draws most of his support, aside from the women’s sector.
Roco barnstormed Laguna on Saturday, the province believed to be a bailiwick of deposed President Joseph Estrada, bosom buddy of his presidential rival Fernando Poe Jr.
Roco, his vice presidential running mate Herminio Aquino and senatorial candidates Nicanor Gatmaytan Jr., Edno Joson and Melanio "Batas" Mauricio were warmly welcomed by residents of East Triangle who are perceived to be avid supporters of Poe, Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) standard-bearer.
Just like Estrada, Poe is widely viewed as a champion of the masses because of his varied portrayals of a hero who saves the oppressed in his blockbuster action movies.
Despite his lack of education and absence of any political experience, Poe has led President Arroyo in recent surveys. Roco has consistently placed third.
Roco chided Poe’s plan to use music videos or MTV to convey his platform of government to the people. He noted that MTVs, just like Poe’s movies, are scripted.
"It will do but it’s self-produced. There are script writers and director so you do not know if that’s really (his opinions) or a company product," Roco said.
Poe has apparently shown preference for airing MTVs to show the "core" of his platform over engaging in debates with his rival presidential candidates.
Roco earlier challenged his opponents to a televised debate to help voters make an informed choice in the presidential race.
Poe has been lukewarm to the idea saying debates are divisive and promote politicking.
But Gatmaytan, one of Roco’s senatorial bets, maintained it would be better for Poe to face his critics squarely.
"That’s his (Poe) right if he does not want to engage in debates but it reflects on his character and competence. It’s being used against him. If I were him, I would find a way to answer questions, not in that (MTV) manner," Gatmaytan said.
Roco said an MTV production "is a make-believe world" and "anybody who has money can get a good director and good scriptwriters."
"It’s not that I’m belittling his knowledge but what will happen to the Philippines if he does not know how to run a government? Look at Erap (Estrada’s nickname). He had 22 years of experience but look what happened," Roco said, referring to Estrada’s ouster by a military-backed revolt in January 2001 amid charges of plunder and bribery.
Roco refused to judge Poe’s sincerity to serve the Filipino people but said this is not enough qualification for him to become president.
"They say he is good and sincere. But you know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I pity the Philippines," Roco said.
Poe also snubbed a planned debate sponsored by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).
Mrs. Arroyo and independent presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson said they would not participate in debates if Poe begs off.
Later, Mrs. Arroyo expressed willingness to face Poe on his terms by agreeing to participate in a presidential debate in the slums.
"Since he (Roco) is the first presidential candidate to come here, we want him to know how we are being treated by the government. We want him to know our demands which will benefit a majority of the Filipinos," Ma. Eliza Pulgo, president of the Women’s Power Association, said.
Roco was the first presidential candidate to visit the slum area.
The demands were outlined in two large canvass prepared by the Urban Poor Associate, a non-government organization that has been extending assistance to East Triangle residents.
Pulgo said they will present their 10-point demand to the rest of the presidential contenders who will campaign in the area.
After a thorough read, Roco signed each demand as recognition of their concerns but refused to promise to grant them these if he gets elected.
"I don’t want to make promises that I will not fulfill. So I want to explain to you my stand on each of your demands. But I promise to all of you that I will do my best, I will try," Roco told the residents.
The 10-point demand included a commitment to impose a one-year moratorium on eviction of squatters and demolition of their homes; active involvement by informal settlers in decisions on issues concerning them; allocation of lands to 200,000 squatter families every year and to have impoverished Filipinos enrolled in the Philippine Health Insurance.
The residents also lobbied against relocation of informal settlers to areas far from their original dwelling and demanded free education for elementary and high school students. They are also asking for a 500 percent increase in the budget for employment of the urban poor.
They likewise urged Roco not to appoint to his Cabinet anyone who has no concern for the poor.