CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) kicked off its political campaign for the May midterm elections at the capitol grounds here on Tuesday by presenting 12 of its 13 senatorial candidates who were warmly welcomed by about 20,000 to 23,000 Capampangans.
Capampangan leaders, led by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Gov. Lilia G. Pineda as well as the whole Kapanalig at Kambilan ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) party slate of the provincial administration party, were present during the opening salvo of the first day of the 90-day campaign for candidates seeking national positions.
“Matula tamu megumpisa ya ing Hugpong keng kampanya da keni king Pampanga uling kanitang 2016 ing peka maragul ng landslide ng Duterte kilwal balwarte na keni king Pampanga [We are happy that the Hugpong started its campaign here in Pampanga because the biggest landslide (President) Duterte had in the 2016 elections was here in Pampanga],” Arroyo told the crowd who trooped to the capitol grounds.
Arroyo also urged Capampangans to vote straight for the HNP candidates.
Mayor Duterte was visibly overwhelmed by the show of support by Capampangans and their leaders as she continued to exchange pleasantries with almost everyone she met.
For her part, Pineda bannered each candidates’ accomplishments as she welcomed them to Pampanga and urged Capampangans to support them.
“We are happy that they held it here in Pampanga. It is an honor for us and also a sign of respect,” Pineda said.
The governor said Capampangans are now able to see the HNP candidates personally and see for themselves the advocacies they have for the benefit of the people.
During the program, a mascot of HNP candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go was seen doing the rounds taking selfies with the crowd.
Former National Police chief Ronald M. “Bato” Dela Rosa rendered a song on stage to the delight of the crowd.
HNP candidate Rep. Pia Cayetano went to the capitol on her bicycle. A group of bikers accompanied Cayetano from the Vista Mall to the capitol.
When it was his turn to take the rostrum, Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito was joined by his brother, Jinggoy Estrada, who raised his hand to the surprise of everyone in the crowd.
Master of ceremonies Board Member Rosve Henson immediately took notice and announced that this was the first time that the two publicly greeted each other.
But the biggest applause was accorded to former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. The crowd went wild in cheers every time his name was mentioned so that by the time it was his turn to speak, everyone was jockeying for position to take a photo or selfie with him on the background.
Overwhelmed by the show of support, Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla was emotional. “I am so thankful for the support and warmth you have extended in accepting my husband…,” she said in Filipino.
An exchange of commitment of support between HNP and Pampanga’s ruling party led by Pineda was also sealed.
Later in the afternoon, the HNP caravan kicked off at the Asean Convention Center at the Clark Freeport, where another huge crowd welcomed them.
Thirteen senatorial candidates, or one more than the 12 Senate seats up for grabs, attended the campaign: former Special Assistant to the President Go, dela Rosa, former Presidential Adviser Francis Tolentino, Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Cayetano, Sen. JV Ejercito, former Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Maguindanao Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu, former journalist Jiggy Manicad, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Revilla and Sen. Cynthia Villar.
Sr. Supt. Jean Fajardo, city of San Fernando chief of police, placed the crowd estimate at 20,000 to 23,000 people.