CEBU SORTIE. Presidential candidate, Senator Manny Pacquiao speaks with his supporters before a grand caravan to Cebu's southern towns on Wednesday (May 4, 2022) as a prelude to his three-day sortie that will end at a grand rally in Cebu City on May 6. Another presidential bet, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso was also in Cebu City for a town-hall meeting, while a daughter of presidential candidate, Vice President Leni Robredo, campaigned at a market in Lapu-Lapu City. (Photo courtesy of John Henry Delfino)
CEBU CITY – Two presidential bets who trace their roots in the central Philippines barnstormed Cebu province on Wednesday in hopes to lure votes from their fellow Visayans.
Presidential candidate, Vice President Leni Robredo sent her daughter to visit Lapu-Lapu City for a market visit in a bid to woo more voters from Cebu.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, on the other hand, held a caravan as a prelude to his three-day sortie in the province until Friday, while Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso met his supporters in a town-hall meeting in Barangay Mambaling here.
Nigel Wenceslao, Pacquiao’s parallel group’s volunteer, said the “grand caravan” of the People’s Champ started in Barangay Lagtang in Talisay City and made rounds at the southern corridor of the province before proceeding to the western area for a sleepover.
“On Day 2 on Thursday, the caravan will start in Asturias then (in the) whole of the Cebu north and back to Cebu City,” Wenceslao told the Philippine News Agency in a message.
Pacquiao will visit Cebu’s northern islands of Carnasa, Bantayan, Camotes, and Olango in Lapu-Lapu City on Friday before going to this city for the grand rally in front of a mall near Pier 3 here.
John Delfino, another campaign volunteer of Pacquiao, said in a phone interview that the eight-division boxing world champion saw overwhelming support from the Cebuanos as they made their initial rounds in the province’s 1st District.
“We are confident of the Cebuano votes. Rosalio Pacquiao, the father of Senator Pacquiao, is a Cebuano from Pinamungajan,” Delfino said.
Meanwhile, Domagoso, in a town-hall meeting with residents at the sports gym in Barangay Mambaling, said he has Visayan roots as his mother is from Samar while his father is from Antique.
“Nakaraos kami kahit kami squatter. Hindi kami sumusuko (We survive despite our being squatters. We don’t give up,” Domagoso told his supporters who attended his gathering.
He told the people attending his event that if they are already fed up with the quarrels between the two “opposing colors” during the campaign period, they may find him as their best alternative.
Dr. Tricia Robredo, the second daughter of the Vice President, went to Saac public market in Lapu-Lapu City to campaign for her mother's presidential bid.
Robredo’s supporters provided the people with free "lugaw” (porridge) and "pandesal" (salted bread), especially those who went early for their grand rally at a university here.
The Vice President has conducted mini-rallies in Bantayan Island, cities of Bogo and Danao in northern Cebu, and a grand rally in Mandaue City on April 21. (PNA)
