For Pacman, it's Villar for president

MANDAUE CITY , Philippines  – World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has endorsed the presidential bid of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. via a videotaped message from Austin, Texas where he is training for his next fight.

“You know, in the future, we need someone who has experienced hardship. I feel that my president, Manny Villar, is sincere. I also came from the ranks of the poor so we need a leader who really cares for the poor,” Pacquiao, speaking in the vernacular, said.

The boxing champion’s message was flashed on two wide screens during the political rally at the reclamation area here Sunday night as part of the finale of the rally where TV host Willie Revillame called in Villar, his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda and the entire NP senatorial slate on stage to hold hands signifying unity.

“We need change for our country,” added Pacquiao, who said he would have wanted to attend the rally but was unable to because of his training in the United States. 

In his brief message, Pacquiao called Villar as his “beloved President” in Filipino and urged the people to vote for him.

The NP political rally was attended by some 90,000 people.

Revillame sang one of his hit songs “Walang Kasing Dakila” after Pacquiao’s video message.

In his speech, Villar reiterated his vision to steer the country out of poverty and no poor family will be unable to bring their children to school, seek medical assistance or put food on the table.

“Win or lose I will continue helping the poor,” Villar said, reiterating the need for the people to elect a competent leader and experienced manager, not an on-the-job trainee.

Prior to this, NP senatorial candidates re-electionist Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Pia Cayetano, Adel Tamano, Gilbert Remulla, Bongbong Marcos, Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza, Toots Ople, Gwen Pimentel, Mon Mitra and Martin Loon, representing his detained father, Col. Ariel Querubin, presented their credentials and political platforms to the people.

Hundreds of white shirts with Villar’s check insignia and the words “Ikaw na nga” along with Wil’s cologne were distributed to the crowd who came to see the show biz stars.

Santiago was cheered for being straightforward in her campaign against corruption. She also dared Villar’s detractors to debate with her.

Under a Villar presidency, Santiago vowed that Cebu will be one of the sources of business industry in all of Asia.

“There will be a six-year term of economic growth never seen before in Asia,” she said. “Cebu will be the center of trade in this part of the world.”

After outlining his credentials as a former congressman, TV personality and a young politician, Remulla sang Ogie Alcasid’s “Nandito Ako.”

Other candidates like Tamano, Mitra and Legarda also sang their favorite songs to serenade the voters. Tamano, who sang “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang,” presented a video clip of actor-singer Alcasid supporting his senatorial bid.

Querubin’s representative also sang the song “Harana,” to the delight of the crowd.

Ocampo, who is running as guest candidate of the NP with Liza Maza, reminded the people of the alleged fraud in the 2004 elections, where Arroyo won by a million votes.

In between the political speeches, local artists Andrew E, April Boy Regino, Cristine Reyes, Princess Ryan, Eric Tuco and Bentong entertained the audience. Singer-TV host Randy Santiago and actress Valerie Concepcion were emcees.

The crowd was ecstatic to see Revillame singing his hit songs and giving away t-shirts and cologne to the audience. The popular “Kembot Girls” also enlivened the crowd, who were earlier treated to a sexy dance number by newcomer Princess Ryan.

Cebu, a known administration bailiwick, has about 2.5 million voters, the biggest voting group outside of Metro Manila.

Seeking divine intervention

Before the rally, Villar, Legarda and Marcos sought the blessings of Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. 

Also present during the religious event at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) were administration bets Gilbert Teodoro and his running mate Edu Manzano and a number of candidates from other political parties.

NP candidate and re-electionist Sen. Pia Cayetano went to see some senior citizens at the Honduras Restaurant in Gorordo Avenue in Lahug on Sunday afternoon.

Last Saturday, Villar sought the blessings of Cardinal Archbishop Ricardo Vidal, who advised him to take care of his health especially during the busy campaign.

Villar and his team also went around the province visiting local markets and Bantayan Island, a premier tourist spot.

The NP presidential bet said the political alignments will become evident in the run-up to the elections.

He hinted of administration party members jumping over to the NP.

“We will know how the leaders here will realign as election day comes near. As of now we don’t know yet but we are happy as it is,” Villar said.

Pacquiao’s camp wants opponent out

Meanwhile, the People’s Champ Movement (PCM) of Pacquiao is appealing a recent ruling by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) dismissing the disqualification case it filed against rival Roy Chiongbian, for lack of residency.

Last Friday, the PCM legal team submitted a 22-page supplemental motion for reconsideration in addition to the MOR filed with the Comelec First Division on Feb. 15, “assailing and seeking the reversal of the (division’s) resolution promulgated on Feb.10, 2010.”

PCM asserted that the poll body erred when it made the finding that respondent Chiongbian was a bona fide resident of Kiamba town, having complied with the residency requirement for the position of congressman of the lone district of Sarangani.

“Chiongbian has never established domicile or residence in Sarangani,” said lead counsel Minveles Gulle.

She said there was nothing wrong for the respondent to take up residence in Kiamba so he could meet the election law requirement on residency and stand for the congressional election in Sarangani.

“But just the same, this defeats the essence of representation, which is to place, through the assent of the voters, the candidate most cognizant and sensitive to the needs of a particular district, if he or she falls short of the requisite period of residency as in the case of the respondent,” she said.

Gulle said that objective was best served by individuals who either had actual residence in the area for a given period of time or who had been “domiciled” in the same area either by origin or by choice.

In his counter-petition for dismissal of the case, Chiongbian argued that he had transferred residence and domicile to Sarangani when he signed up as a new voter of Kiamba town last April 14.

But Gulle said the mere fact that a person was registered as a voter in one place was no proof that he was not domiciled somewhere else, citing a Supreme Court ruling on Favpon vs. Quirino. -Nonong Baliao