Team PNoy bets maximize last day of campaign

MANILA, Philippines - For most of the candidates of the administration Team PNoy’s senatorial slate, the last day of the campaign yesterday was an opportunity to make one final pitch to the electorate for their vote in tomorrow’s midterm elections.

Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV and Sen. Aquilino “Koko”  Pimentel III went to radio stations to make known their advocacies as a neophyte and a re-electionist, respectively, while Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara went around Manila City on a motorcade with actor Coco Martin.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV attended two local miting de avance in Taguig City and Pateros.

But a lot of the candidates from both Team PNoy and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) blocked off their schedule for the weekly overnight gathering of the Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai at the Amvel City in Parañaque City last night.

Led by its leader Mike Velarde, who has endorsed several candidates from Team PNoy and UNA, the El Shaddai Movement would once again make its presence felt during the elections with its several millions of members expected to consider the advice given by Velarde.

Former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Aquino were recently endorsed by Velarde as his two recommended candidates to fill the 12 slots endorsed by the White Vote Movement.

The White Vote Movement previously endorsed 10 candidates, namely San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito, Sen. Gregorio Honasan, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, Nancy Binay, former senators Richard Gordon and Juan Miguel Zubiri (all from UNA); former Las Piñas City Rep. Cynthia Villar, Senators Trillanes and Pimentel of Team PNoy and independent candidate Marwil Llasos.

Both Villar and Aquino confirmed their attendance at the gathering of El Shaddai where Velarde was expected to introduce them to his followers.

“We would just continue to work hard in the last day of the campaign. I would not have run if I didn’t think that I would be able to make a contribution in the Senate,” Aquino said.

Sen. Francis Escudero has returned to his home province of Sorsogon where he will be staying until Wednesday next week, according to his staff.

In a statement, Angara expressed hope that all 12 candidates of Team PNoy would make it to the Magic 12 and provide the President with the support in the Senate for his reform agenda.

“It is my fervent prayer that no one in the coalition will be left behind and we are lifted to victory as a team,” Angara said.

“I cannot thank President Aquino enough for his support, which lifted most of us in the coalition during our low moments. I think in this regard, I am speaking for the 12 of us,” he added.