TV host gives cash, cell phones, jackets: Willie endorses Team Rama bets

CEBU, Philippines - Television host Willie Revillame endorsed Team Rama candidates in front over  100,000 Cebuanos during a show at the Plaza Independencia last night.
    
“Suportahan nyo po sila Annabelle (Rama) and Mayor Mike (Rama) at pinapangako ko sa inyo na babalik ako sa Cebu para mag show ulit upang makapagbigay ng mga papremyo,” Revillame told the crowd.
    
The show, entitled “Wowowillie Cebu Supports Team Rama,” was a fusion of a political rally and the usual episode of the program most notable for its cash prizes and giveaways.
    
And true to his image, Revillame gave his famous jackets, cell phone units and cash to mostly senior citizens and persons with disability.
    
“Galing po ito sa akin, hindi kina Annabelle at Mayor Mike,” he clarified.
    
The Commission on Elections prohibits candidates from giving away donations - cash or in kind - during the campaign period.
    
Waterfront Police Station Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu estimated the crowd from 80,000 to 90,000.
    
“Nakita man ninyo unsa ka siksik ang area. So far, sa mga na-handle nako nga sa activities, pinaka grabe gyud ni siya tungod sa kadaghan sa senior citizens and disabled nga pulos nag expect nga mahatagan ni Willie og kwarta,” he told reporters.
    
Reelectionist Mayor Michael Rama, the chairman of Team Rama, said the crowd reached 100,000.
    
The FREEMAN learned from TV-5 Manila corporate communications department that the show was produced independently.
    
“That’s solely a Wil Productions project. We knew of the show as Mr. Revillame has been announcing it in his show. They are mounting it themselves without TV5 cameras, etc,” TV5 Cebu station manager Karla Kintanar-Fernandez said in a text message.
    
“No big issue really,” she added.
    
Former mayor and KUSUG party chairman emeritus Alvin Garcia was spotted at the event. KUSUG earlier endorsed some Team Rama candidates.

About 70 police officials were deployed to secure the venue and nearby areas.

Courting Team Rama, BOPK

Independent senatorial candidate Teodoro "Teddy" Casiño is courting both Team Rama and the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.
     
"Both of them are my friends," Casiño said, referring to reelectionist Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and rival south district Representative Tomas Osmeña.
     
Rama is under the United Nationalist Coalition while Osmeña is under the Liberal Party.
     
"Baka naman may puwang pa ako. Any help will do. I just do not know what kind of help he (Osmeña) can extend but humihingi ako ng tulong," Casiño said in a press conference.
     
Cebu has 2.5 million registered voters.
     
Casiño said he has support from Makabayan, a coalition of partylists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, ACT-Teachers, Katribu, Migrante and Courage.
     
The coalition has up to nine million votes in the 2010 elections, he added.
     
Aside from Casiño, the coalition is also endorsing the candidacies of Senators Chiz Escudero, Aquilino Pimentel, Loren Legarda as well as Grace Poe and former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.
    
Villar thanked the ‘White Vote Movement’ after its spokesperson, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde, announced the Catholic lay groups’ support to her candidacy and five other senatoriables.
     
“I am thankful for the trust and support of all the members of the White Vote Movement,” said Villar.
     
The White Vote Movement is the grassroot campaign recently launched by Catholic lay organizations, including the charismatic movement El Shaddai Movement, which extolled of 6 million members nationwide.
     
“I welcome every support, whether big or small. Every vote counts,” stressed Villar who is running for senator under the Nacionalista Party-Team PNoy. – With Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM