Aspiring congressman, Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez believes that he has gauged presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos's popularity in his city. "Overwhelming" was the word he used to describe it.
"Pinupulsuhan ko iyong mga barangay na pinupuntahan namin and sinasabi ko presidential elections ngayon, gusto ko malaman kung sino ba ang gusto niyo maging presidente (I've been trying to get the pulse of the barangays I've been visiting and I've been asking the people who they prefer to become the president)," Mayor Gomez said in a recent interview with One PH.
"Talagang overwhelming ‘yung BBM. Kapag sinabi ko itaas ang kanilang kamay kapag binanggit ko name ng mga kandidato, pero kapag sinabi mo iyong pangalang ‘BBM’ pati paa talagang itinataas eh (BBM's popularity is really overwhelming. I told the people to raise their hands If I mention the name the candidate they like, and if I mentioned the name 'BBM', they raise not just just hands but their feet as well)," the movie actor-turned-politician said, obviously exaggerating.
"Goma" is running for the congressional seat for the 4th district of Leyte in place of his wife, Lucy Torres-Gomez, who is now running for city mayor.
The Gomez couple has previously expressed their support for Marcos's candidacy.
“I like BBM ... Kaya nga nung (That's why) one time I was interviewed kasi napansin ko andami na kapag hindi ka ‘dun aligned sa isang pulitiko, nagkakasiraan (I've noticed many times before that people assail each other if they're not politically aligned). Parang sa ating mga Pilipino napakapangit na nagsisiraan tayo o nagkakagulo tayo dahil sa mga pinipili natin na magiging president (It’s a bad look for us Filipinos if we assail each other because of our choices for president)," Mayor Gomez said.
He also appealed to the public to respect each other’s choice of candidates in the polls instead of engaging in mudslinging and bullying.
“Sinasabi ko kung mayroon kang napupusuan na isang presidente hindi mo kailangan manira ng ibang tao. Ikampanya mo ng mabuti ‘yung kanidatong gusto mo kasi kami ganun din (I said, if you prefer a certain presidential aspirant then you don't need to assail other people. Campaign for the candidate you like and we will do the same).
"In my case, I like BBM, kinakampanya ko siya talaga rito dito sa 4th district at sa buong Leyte (I really campaign for him here in the 4th district and in the entire Leyte)," Goma said.