CEBU CITY – Two presidential and one vice presidential hopefuls simultaneously barnstormed Cebu on Wednesday, May 4, in what looked like a desperate move to boost their chances in the national elections on Monday, May 9.
Presidential candidates Manny Pacquiao and Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagosa and vice presidential candidate Kiko Pangilinan held separate campaign sorties in this vote-rich Cebu City and Cebu province as the campaign period entered the crucial phase.
Accompanied by wife, mega star Sharon Cuneta, and noted personalities in Regine Velasquez, Garry Valenciano and his children Gab and Kiana, Pangilinan attended the “Cebuyass” campaign rally at the open field of Southwestern University-Phinma.
Couple Anthony and Maricel Pangilinan, Leo Martinez, the popular love team Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, known for their ‘DonBelle’ on-screen partnership, were also present in Pangilinan’s campaign rally.
Pacquiao for his part met with various supporters in Cebu Province but his grand rally is scheduled on May 6.
Pacquiao on Wednesday went to Talisay, Carcar and Balamban and on Thursday, he was scheduled to visit Tuburan, San Remigio, Bogo, Carmen and Danao.
Isko Moreno held his grand rally dubbed as “Iskoncert Cebu” at the 3rd Avenue at the city’s pier area.
According to a member of Pacquiao’s campaign team, the Senator will be holding his own grand rally in the same area where Moreno’s rally was held.
Prior to the “Iskonconcert Cebu,” Pacquiao was in a hotel where Isko Moreno was scheduled to meet his supporters.
Isko Moreno arrived in the hotel just a few minutes after Pacquiao left.
Isko Moreno was joined by his running mate Dr. Willing Ong and members of Aksyon Demokratiko’s Senate slate that included Jophet Sison, Sam Gutoc, Carl Balita and John Castriciones.
Isko Moreno and his Senate slate took turns debunking recent survey results that saw the Manila mayor drop to fourth place among the presidential candidates with only four percent.
Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia also attended the gathering where he reiterated his support for Isko Moreno.
Garcia has resigned as secretary-general of the One Cebu Party after the influential party headed by the congressman’s sister, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, chose to endorse Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Though Isko Moreno failed to get the endorsement of One Cebu and despite his poor rankings in surveys, Pablo John, who is unopposed in his reelection bid, still believed that the Manila mayor will make it.
Pablo John also vowed that he will be sticking with Isko Moreno.
“I’m still here. I would not be here if I did not believe that we could still win this. But whatever happens, win or lose, I believe that if I vote for the person I believe in, I've already won,” said Pablo John.