Mindoro execs want Gibo to be president

MAMBURAO, Occidental Mindoro , Philippines  – Confident that he is his own man, local political leaders here want former defense chief and Lakas-Kampi-CMD Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., to be the country’s next president.

Sablayan Mayor Eduardo Gadiano said he admired Teodoro for being independent-minded as he assured that 17 of the 22 barangays in his town will definitely go for the former defense chief.

Most of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD team led by Teodoro and his vice presidential candidate Edu Manzano attended a rally at the capital town San Jose yesterday. The administration team are slated to be here for an afternoon mammoth rally.

“Knowing Gibo, di siya magpapahawak kahit kanino, kasi independent-minded. Malayo sa ibang kandidato si Gibo kung talino ang pag-uusapan. Sharp sumagot sa mga issues, said Gadiano while his supporters waited for the entire administration slate at the local airport here.

Deputy House speaker and Occidental Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa vowed to campaign hard to make Teodoro the country’s next President as they see in him the qualities of a leader that Filipinos need.

Villarosa is the regional chair of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD for (MIMAROPA) Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan region. She said political leaders in Occidental Mindoro – from the barangay tanod to the highest local chief executive in the province, have agreed to work to deliver the votes for Gibo on May 10.

“We will definitely do our best,” Villarosa said. “United, we can deliver the votes for Secretary Teodoro.”

Her son, Mamburao Mayor Voltaire Villarosa said he believes in Gibo’s “intelligence and capability in leading and pursuing the economic growth for our country.”

“I believe in his principles, style of management, work ethics and moral values,” Villarosa said. “I will do my very best to make sure that he will be the next president of our country.”

Occidental Mindoro’s vote of confidence in Gibo follows his successful foray in Butuan City, where some 25,000 supporters from the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Sur swarmed his political rally Thursday night.

Although there were no celebrity endorsers, the crowd filled the grandstand and swelled to the open grounds of the Butuan City Sports Center in a massive show of support for Gibo and his running mate Edu Manzano.

Gibo had expressed surprise at the huge turnout, saying “This meeting tonight was prepared on very short notice.”

Butuan Mayor Democrito Plaza, himself, did not expect the large rally turnout of 25,000 people attending the political event, as they had only a day to prepare for it.

Also joining the rally to show their support for Gibo were Governors Erlpe John Amante of Agusan del Norte, Maria Valentina Plaza of Agusan del Sur and Vicente Pimentel of Surigao del Sur.