Noy campaigns in Cory’s hometown

ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines – President Aquino was nostalgic yesterday as he stumped for administration presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II and vice presidential bet Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo in his mother’s hometown.

“Welcome home,” Mayor Casimiro Ynares III told the President.

The President’s maternal grandmother was the daughter of Juan Sumulong, a former senator and member of a prominent family in this city. The rally for the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid was held at Sumulong Park named after Aquino’s great grandfather.

The President enumerated the programs and projects that his administration implemented in Rizal province and called on Antipoleños to support Roxas and Robredo to continue the reforms under the straight path.

Aquino said it was his obligation to help the Filipinos make informed choices come May 9 as he thanked the people for the opportunity to serve them.

Robredo and Roxas’ son Paolo sought the help of Antipoleños, saying among the candidates they were the ones not just making empty promises, given their track records in serving the public and known integrity.

But beyond the campaign, the President also had fun recalling the “many times we were here in Antipolo.”

“Maybe it is not here anymore... there was a restaurant called Aling Goyang. Are her relatives here? Is Aling Goyang’s restaurant still here? I think Aling Goyang was my grandmother’s friend,” Aquino said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Aquino also recounted that every trip to this city would mean having a halo-halo treat.

The President also said after feasting on halo-halo with ice cream and leche flan, he would bring home suman (sticky rice cakes).

Aquino remembered coating the suman with sugar.

“That’s why after the halo-halo and suman, I am smiling the whole time. You call that a sugar high,” Aquino remarked.

Roxas, for his part, continued his attacks on rival Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who he said has been making “careless decisions and statements based on his daily mood.”

“What the president says automatically becomes the national policy. Our soldiers and policemen, they all follow the president’s pronouncements and actions, which can’t be inconsistent and contradictory,” Roxas said.

Roxas described Duterte as “flip-flopping” and “whimsical,” which cast doubts on his ability to deliver as a president.

“The president must have a sound body and mind to be able to deal with the pressures that come with the job,” Roxas said.

He said it is vital that voters scrutinize the characters of presidential candidates.  – With Paolo Romero