BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines – Despite lagging behind in surveys, supporters of administration standard bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro expressed confidence that he will take Cagayan Valley in the May elections and eventually win in the presidential race.
According to Teodoro’s leading local political leaders, he has more than an excellent chance to sweep Cagayan Valley’s mainland provinces, especially in Quirino, Isabela and Cagayan where most local incumbents are rooting for the former Defense secretary.
“Secretary Teodoro will win hands down in our province. This is the feedback that we have been receiving from our people in the field and we are working to ensure his victory as well,” said Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua.
Still eligible for another term, Cua is now running instead for the province’s lone congressional district seat to give way to his father, graduating Rep. Junie Cua, the House appropriations committee chairman, in a bid to succeed him.
Cua said that most, if not all, the incumbent local officials belong to the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD and are working hard to ensure Teodoro’s victory in their respective localities, and “this is what makes Gibo win in Quirino.”
Earlier, Isabela’s leading political leaders also declared a Teodoro victory in that vote-rich province.
Third district Rep. Faustino Dy III, and First district Rep. Rodito Albano, Isabela’s gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial bets of the administration’s Lakas-Kampi-CMD, both declared Teodoro’s winning in their province.
Gibo seen to win handily
“At least 30 of the 36 (Isabela) mayors are working hard for him and that will make him win handily in the province,” said Dy.
Even the Dys’ archrival, second district Rep. Edwin Uy, who is running for vice governor under the administration-allied Bigkis Pinoy Party-list, and his allies are rooting for Teodoro, although his runningmate, third-term-seeking Gov. Grace Padaca is allied with Liberal Party presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
Likewise, Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio said that they have been campaigning hard to ensure Teodoro’s winning in the province, where majority of local officials are also with the administration.
Amid his poor showing in surveys, Teodoro, during a sortie here, expressed optimism that a presidential candidate with the most organized political machinery has the best chance to win.
“I feel that people supporting us continue to increase as they get a clearer understanding of our vision for our people and for the country,” said Teodoro.
Besides the administration’s political machinery, Teodoro, a former three-term congressman of Tarlac’s Ilocano-dominated first congressional district, also banks on the so-called Solid North bloc, where majority of local officials are with the administration.
“With the (looming) rebirth of the Solid North for us, as well as the support of those from other parts of the country who believe in our vision for the country, I believe we will prevail in the end,” said the Iluko-speaking Teodoro.