Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar (Contributed photo)
SURIGAO CITY – Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, also acting presidential spokesperson, on Monday announced his support for his wife’s bid for a seat in Congress through party-list.
Alelee Aguilar-Andanar is now vying for a seat as the first nominee of the neophyte Bisaya Gyud (BG) Party-list, whose main thrusts are food security, education, shelter, and security.
Aguilar-Andanar works as a full-time entrepreneur in Las Piñas City, while heading a foundation that his father, former Las Piñas mayor Vergel “Nene” Aguilar, initiated. She is also supporting other affiliated non-government organizations, including the Philippine Cancer Society.
“Saksi ako kung paano magmahal ng Bisaya si Alelee. Mula nang ikinasal kami, nakatali na rin ang puso niya sa mga Bisaya (I witnessed how Alelee loved Bisayans. Ever since we got married, her heart has been tied to the Bisayans),” Andanar said as he recalled the pioneer advocacy that his wife has organized for youth in Siargao Islands in early 2000s.
The PCOO chief shared that Alelee’s persistence helped build mini-libraries in barrios where there was little to no access to information and books for young Bisayans to learn from.
“Dito ko nakita ang kanyang malasakit at pagmamahal sa mga kababayan nating Bisaya. Kaya nang magdesisyon siyang tumakbo, hindi na ako nagdalawang isip na suportahan si Alelee (I saw her concern and love for our fellow Bisayans. So when she decided to run, I did not hesitate to support Alelee),” he said.
“Tiwala ako na ang kanyang pagmamahal sa Bisaya ay tutumbasan niya ng de kalidad na paglilingkod sa bayan. Naniniwala ako na may sapat siyang kakayahan at karanasan para iangat ang buhay ng mga Bisaya at disadvantaged sectors sa ating bansa (I am confident that his love for Bisayans will be matched by quality service to the people. I believe that he has enough skills and experience to uplift the lives of the Bisayans and disadvantaged sectors in our country),” he added.
Andanar is likewise urging the voting population, especially those coming from the Visayas and Mindanao regions, to support Alelee and the BG Party-list this coming May 9.
“Suportahan po natin si Alelee. Hindi po masasayang ang boto nating mga Bisaya dahil siya ay may pusong Bisaya na kumakalinga sa lahat, higit pa sa isang Bisaya (Let's support Alelee. Our Bisayan vote will not be wasted because he has a Bisayan heart that cares for everyone, more than one Bisayan,” he said.
It can be recalled that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong'' Go also expressed their support for the group. This was the only party-list of which the chief executive has openly given his support. (PR)
