A few hours after dismissing presidential poll survey results as not reflecting of the views of the country’s “D and E classes”, PROMDI standard bearer Sen. Manny Pacquiao may have been proven correct in Marikina City when thousands of ordinary Filipinos greeted and cheered him and wife, Jinky, as they headed a motorcade in several areas in the city on Monday, Feb. 28.
**media**
Pacquiao and his campaign team opened the week with campaign sorties in Pasig City where they were welcomed by city officials led by Rep. Roman Romulo and Councilor Yoyong Martires.
In Marikina City, they were given a red carpet welcome by Vice Mayor Marion Andres and the city council before the Pacquiao team motored around the city where thousands awaited to declare their support for the Mindanaoan senator.
Asked by the media about the absence of Pasig City Mayor Vicoy Sotto when he dropped by the city hall, Pacquiao the public’s mind should be disabused into believing that there was a snub on the part of the city executive.
“Iyong papayagan tayong mag-ikot sa isang city ay napakalaking bagay na iyon. Malaking pabor na sa atin iyan. Masaya na tayo at dapat ipagpasalamat ito. (The fact that we were permitted to go around the city is a huge thing already. That is a big favor for us. We are happy and we should be thankful),” Pacquiao told reporters during a media briefing.
Actually, Sotto had already announced that he will refrain from welcoming national candidates conducting sorties in his city. Sotto is the nephew of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, runningmate of Partido Reporma presidential bet Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
Asked to comment on the recently-released OCTA Research presidential survey where he placed fourth, Pacquiao said that like other poll surveys, the results are not a cause for worry for him.
“Dati na akong lumalaban sa ring na underdog. Bakit naman sa laban ko kay De la Hoya, walang naniwala mananalo ako kundi ang team ko. (I am used to fighting in the ring as an underdog. But when I fought De la Hoya, nobody believed I will win except my team),” he said, referring to his 2008 welterweight fight against the more experienced Mexican champ Oscar de La Joya billed as “The Dream Match.” Like in many boxing matches in his legendary career, Pacquiao was the underdog but won the one-sided match.
“Hindi ako nagwo-worry diyan kasi alam ko ang mga supporters ko. Although kailangan ko naman ng support mula sa “A, B and C”, kapag may nakuha ako diyan eh di malaking pasasalamat na. Ang backer ko ngayon ay nasa “D,E class” at iyon ay hindi naaabot ng mga survey. (I do not worry about it because I know who my supporters are. Although I need the support of the ABC , if I get some support there, I will already be thankful. My backers right now are those in “D,E, class” and they are not being asked in the surveys,),” explained the Filipino boxing icon.
If the crowds that lined up Marikina’s streets were to be the gauge, Pacquiao may have proven his point.
During his afternoon caravan, Pacquiao, who was also accompanied by senatorial aspirant former Gov. Lutz Barbo, was greeted by thousands of supporters, fans and plain citizens as he led a motor caravan in the city.
Braving the afternoon heat, Pacquiao's caravan earned the loud cheers from supporters shouting "Manny" repeatedly as they saw their candidate waving at them in person.
The people’s happiness could not be measured as seen from their smiles and chants as they swarm Pacquiao’s motorcade.
Even the elderly and a number of persons with disabilities (PWDs) patiently waited for the man known to them as “Pacman” to arrive in their area to show their support.
Apart from senior citizens, young adults and children did not miss the opportunity to see the boxing icon and the hope he brings to the people.