Villar promises to end poverty

MANILA, Philippines - Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. started his campaign for the presidency in Tondo, Manila, where he traces his roots, and ended it there with a promise to end poverty in the country.

Villar wanted to send a strong message about his platform and his roots by choosing to hold the NP’s miting de avance across the notorious symbol of poverty in the country, Smokey Mountain in Vitas, Tondo.

The sprawling property that forms part of the Harbour Center of businessman Reghis Romero was the venue of the NP’s final salvo before tomorrow’s elections, far from the clutches of the elite and the middle classes but just a stone’s throw from some of the poorest of Metro Manila.

The venue was big enough to accommodate thousands of people.

It was already past 10 p.m. when Villar appeared before the crowd, immediately after the usual show that was put up by television personality Willie Revillame patterned after his “Wowowee” noontime show.

“So many of our countrymen are poor, do not have their own homes and are without jobs. We can end poverty. I blame our country’s leaders who for the longest time were not able to eliminate poverty,” Villar said in Filipino.

“I see that the people running our country are the old prominent families. They want to be the only ones to run the country. They want to just pass this on among themselves,” he added.

Villar said it was time for someone from among the ranks of the poor to lead the country in order to address poverty once and for all.

Not losing hope

He added that his victory will “become the most dramatic political comeback in the history of the country” because his organized local machinery and alliances with various groups will help his ticket win the elections.

His statement gave a big boost to the morale of his team, which included his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda and senatorial bets Adel Tamano, Gilbert Remulla, Gwen Pimentel, Toots Ople, Monmon Mitra, Bongbong Marcos, Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza, re-electionist Senators Pia Cayetano and Miriam Defensor Santiago, and Martin Querubin (representing detained Col. Ariel Querubin).

Sen. Bong Revilla, a guest candidate, has never joined any sortie.

Dolphy said he really trusts Villar and stands by his decision even if some of his showbiz friends, including former President Estrada, are on the other side of the political fence.

Revillame said he is going all out in his support even after he got the ire of his bosses at ABS-CBN.

Villar said the people should now learn to accept someone that does not come from the bloodlines of the famous and prominent families.

“They do not want someone like us to become president. They do not want someone who was a squatter in Tondo, who was a shrimp vendor to have the opportunity to become president,” Villar said.

He emphasized that the people must vote according to the track record and qualifications of the candidates.

He said his qualifications and track record, including the fact that he was the only candidate to become Senate president and Speaker of the House of Representatives, would help him lead the country and attain the goal of ending poverty. - With Christina Mendez