Diokno winds up campaign in home province of Batangas
Published May 11, 2019 03:05 pm
By Raymund Antonio
As the campaign season drew to a close Saturday, Otso Diretso candidate Chel Diokno returned to his home province of Batangas to make most of the last day of campaign for the May 13 polls.
Supporters of Otso Diretso senatorial candidate Chel Diokno take photos with him, May 8, 2019, Wednesday evening at University of the Philippines Sunken Garden in Quezon City. (KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN)
Diokno, a human rights lawyer, ended his senatorial campaign by joining his volunteers for a small motorcade Saturday morning from Lipa City to San Jose, until they reached Batangas City.
The opposition bet also visited public markets in the cities of Lipa and Batangas, and municipalities of Bauan and Lemery to conclude the 90-day campaign period.
“Sa huling araw ng kampanya, gusto kong makasama yung mga ka-probinsiya ko sa Batangas at mga kababayan ko sa Taal. Doon natin sinimulan ang laban, doon din natin tatapusin,” Diokno said.
Upon his return to Taal, Diokno reflected on how far his campaign has come.
“Hindi naman ako kilala noong sinimulan natin ang kampanya sa Taal. Wala rin akong makinarya o political dynasty, kaya malayo na rin ang narating natin ngayon,” he said.
Last February, Diokno held his proclamation rally in Taal, Batangas, where his family lived. The Dioknos hail from Taal, where some of the streets have been named after his father Jose “Ka Pepe” Diokno and his grandfather Ramon Diokno, who were both senators.
The Otso Diretso candidate was also set to join the motorcade of Taal Mayor Pong Mercado, including the miting de avance of his local slate at Plaza ng Taal.
Mercado and local officials, who belong to the One Batangas party, endorsed Diokno. Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto and reelectionist Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto are also backing his candidacy
Apart from politicians, Diokno just got more what he called “CHELebrities” who also publicly support his Senate bid.
He got a major boost at the final stretch of the campaign with the endorsement of comedian Vice Ganda, Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda, and the Magalona family.
Vice Ganda, or Jose Marie Viceral in real life, endorsed Diokno through Twitter, where he described him as “matalino, magaling at matino (smart, talented and sensible).”
“Iboboto ko sya para sa lahat ng Madlang People na naghahangad ng bansang may hustisya (I will vote for him for all the people who want a country with justice),” the popular gay comedian tweeted.
Vice Ganda then asked his 12.3 million followers on Twitter to vote for Diokno on May 13.
“Sana maisama nyo rin sya sa iboboto nyong 12 (I hope you can include him in the 12 candidates you’ll vote),” the TV host said.
Pia Magalona, widow of the late master rapper Francis Magalona, wrote on Twitter, sharing a photo with son Elmo and other members of the family posing with a Chel Diokno poster.
“Time for a cool change. On Monday, May 13, vote wisely. Chel Diokno (25) sa Senado,” she said.
“Chel is chill, knows how to respond with respect and keeps his dignity and integrity. Above all, he makes great sense, is good-natured, yet stands his ground. Be like Chel Diokno!” Pia added.
Also on Twitter, Miranda shared Diokno was included in his list of senatorial bets.
The Otso Diretso bet has been grateful to all celebrities and the young people who support his Senate bid.
“Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa ating CHELebrities na kusang nag-endorso kahit walang bayad, sa lahat ng sumuporta online, at lalong-lalo na sa kabataan. Sa tulong nyo, sisiguruhin nating patas ang batas para sa lahat. Sisiguruhin natin na mayaman man o mahirap, pag may sala, may parusa,” Diokno said.
Among the so-called CHELebrities are Kris, Aquino, Dingdong Dantes, Enchong Dee, Bianca Gonzalez, Jaime Fabregas, Janine Gutierrez, Pepe Herrera, and musicians Ebe Dancel, Bullet Dumas, and Johnoy Danao of 3D, Bayang Barrios, Noel Cabangon, Cookie Chua, Medwin Marfil of True Faith, Bituin Escalante, and Buddy Zabala. #MatalinongBoto2019
Supporters of Otso Diretso senatorial candidate Chel Diokno take photos with him, May 8, 2019, Wednesday evening at University of the Philippines Sunken Garden in Quezon City. (KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN)
Diokno, a human rights lawyer, ended his senatorial campaign by joining his volunteers for a small motorcade Saturday morning from Lipa City to San Jose, until they reached Batangas City.
The opposition bet also visited public markets in the cities of Lipa and Batangas, and municipalities of Bauan and Lemery to conclude the 90-day campaign period.
“Sa huling araw ng kampanya, gusto kong makasama yung mga ka-probinsiya ko sa Batangas at mga kababayan ko sa Taal. Doon natin sinimulan ang laban, doon din natin tatapusin,” Diokno said.
Upon his return to Taal, Diokno reflected on how far his campaign has come.
“Hindi naman ako kilala noong sinimulan natin ang kampanya sa Taal. Wala rin akong makinarya o political dynasty, kaya malayo na rin ang narating natin ngayon,” he said.
Last February, Diokno held his proclamation rally in Taal, Batangas, where his family lived. The Dioknos hail from Taal, where some of the streets have been named after his father Jose “Ka Pepe” Diokno and his grandfather Ramon Diokno, who were both senators.
The Otso Diretso candidate was also set to join the motorcade of Taal Mayor Pong Mercado, including the miting de avance of his local slate at Plaza ng Taal.
Mercado and local officials, who belong to the One Batangas party, endorsed Diokno. Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto and reelectionist Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto are also backing his candidacy
Apart from politicians, Diokno just got more what he called “CHELebrities” who also publicly support his Senate bid.
He got a major boost at the final stretch of the campaign with the endorsement of comedian Vice Ganda, Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda, and the Magalona family.
Vice Ganda, or Jose Marie Viceral in real life, endorsed Diokno through Twitter, where he described him as “matalino, magaling at matino (smart, talented and sensible).”
“Iboboto ko sya para sa lahat ng Madlang People na naghahangad ng bansang may hustisya (I will vote for him for all the people who want a country with justice),” the popular gay comedian tweeted.
Vice Ganda then asked his 12.3 million followers on Twitter to vote for Diokno on May 13.
“Sana maisama nyo rin sya sa iboboto nyong 12 (I hope you can include him in the 12 candidates you’ll vote),” the TV host said.
Pia Magalona, widow of the late master rapper Francis Magalona, wrote on Twitter, sharing a photo with son Elmo and other members of the family posing with a Chel Diokno poster.
“Time for a cool change. On Monday, May 13, vote wisely. Chel Diokno (25) sa Senado,” she said.
“Chel is chill, knows how to respond with respect and keeps his dignity and integrity. Above all, he makes great sense, is good-natured, yet stands his ground. Be like Chel Diokno!” Pia added.
Also on Twitter, Miranda shared Diokno was included in his list of senatorial bets.
The Otso Diretso bet has been grateful to all celebrities and the young people who support his Senate bid.
“Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa ating CHELebrities na kusang nag-endorso kahit walang bayad, sa lahat ng sumuporta online, at lalong-lalo na sa kabataan. Sa tulong nyo, sisiguruhin nating patas ang batas para sa lahat. Sisiguruhin natin na mayaman man o mahirap, pag may sala, may parusa,” Diokno said.
Among the so-called CHELebrities are Kris, Aquino, Dingdong Dantes, Enchong Dee, Bianca Gonzalez, Jaime Fabregas, Janine Gutierrez, Pepe Herrera, and musicians Ebe Dancel, Bullet Dumas, and Johnoy Danao of 3D, Bayang Barrios, Noel Cabangon, Cookie Chua, Medwin Marfil of True Faith, Bituin Escalante, and Buddy Zabala. #MatalinongBoto2019