Pacquiao, Moreno, Abella ask Boholanos to choose the right leader

By Leo Udtohan

Presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao visits Bohol province on Thursday, April 21, to meet his supporters. Photos: Leo Udtohan

The campaign sorties of our presidentiables have been heavy in Luzon. In the last stretch of the campaign, they are expected to spend some more time in Visayas, Bohol included. 

Last week, three presidentiables have visited the province of Bohol, the 20th rich-vote province in the country. 

Presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao asked Boholanos to stop comparing him to other presidential candidates.

“Dili ko puwede ikumpara sa mga pulitiko  nga kawatan (Don’t compare me with those corrupt politicians),” said Pacquiao during his visit last Thursday, April 21, in a remote sitio of Pundokan Rowena Heights in Barangay Anonang in Buenavista town.

Although he didn’t names, Pacquiao said those thieves were the reasons the Filipinos remain poor.

“Ngano nagpabilin tang pobre tungod kay sige sila pangawat (We remain poor because they keep stealing),” Pacquiao told at least 3,000 attendees who are members of Simbahan Ni Teodorico and Visayas Federal Movement headed by Bishop Romeo Melecio Jr.

Pacquiao also shared about his housing project that he wished to immediately implement if he wins the presidency.

“Akong pangandoy nga ang tanang pamilya sa tubuok Pilipinas dili puwede nga wala kapuy-an nga balay (My wish is that all families across the Philippines would no longer be homeless),” Pacquiao said.

He echoed the same message when he visited Tubigon town with a crowd of at least 2,000. In Cortes town, he had to speak to 1,000 supporters about his platforms.  On Thursday night, he also met ateadt 200 pastors and ministers at Dumaluan Beach Resort. 

Pacquiao’s townhall visits in Bohol only pulled out small crowd compared to rallies he held in other provinces.

On Friday, Pacquiao visited dyRD and dyTR to present his platforms. He also visited the provincial Capitol and City Hall. 

The latest Bohol Poll Survey 2022 revealed that Pacquiao was second in voters’ preference for president in the province. He got 18 percent next to former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with 52 percent.  Vice President Leni Robredo had 17%.  The survey was conducted last Feb. 28 to March 22, 2022.

Around 40,000 people attend the "IsKoncert Rally: Bilis Kilos Bohol" of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Wednesday night, April 20, 2022. Photos: Leo Udtohan

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso  promised the Boholanos who showed up at the "ISKoncert Rally: Bilis Kilos Bohol" last Wednesday, April 20, that if elected president, he would bring in a government that is direct to the people. 

"Gusto niya murang bilihin, kuryente, mabilis na internet, trabaho, bahay, ospital, yun ang gobyernong alay ko. Diretso sa tao para sa kinabukasan sa kabataan sa ating bansa," Domagoso addressing the jampacked crowd that attended the concert-rally held at the old Tagbilaran airport. 

(You want cheap goods, electricity, fast internet, work, house, hospital, that's what my government offers to you. Direct to the people for the future of the youth in our country.) 

Organizers placed attendance to the rally at 40,000.

Moreno urged his supporters to support him and his team. 

"Samahan niyo kami sa May 9 tatapusin natin ang away ng pula at dilaw. Tayong kabataan ang magtatapos sa away ng mga pulitiko," said Domagoso with a hoarse voice. 

(Join us on May 9, we will end the fight of red and yellow. We young people will end the fight between politicians.) 

In between speech, Moreno showed his dance antics, two joints hand gesture and would say "Chill lang" which the crowd responded with applause ang cheers. 

In his speech, Moreno praised the Boholanos resilience especially during the typhoon typhoon Odette (international name: "Rai"). 

Moreno was one of the first responders when Bohol was ravaged by typhoon Odette. He flew to Bohol on December 20 to personally hand over an initial P1 million in financial assistance, four generator sets and food boxes for typhoon victims in the province.

"Anong hirap na dinanas niyo huwag kayong susuko. Nakikita niyo ako? Itong batang ito na kaharap ninyo dating basurero. Sino mag-akala na puwede maging mayor ng Manila, puwede na maging presidente ng bansa," he said. 

(Whatever hardship you have gone through, don't give up. Do you know me? This boy in front of you used to be a garbage man. Who would have thought that he could be the mayor of Manila, he could be the president of the country?) 

Also present during the rally were vice presidentiable Dr. Willie Ong ang senatoriables  Bro. John Castriciones, Carl Balita, Atty. Jopet Sison and Samira Gutoc who also gave their messages.

Domagoso and his team also attended rallies in Catigbian, Carmen and Calape towns. 

Benjie Oliva, overall coordinator of Damagoso’s campaign in Bohol, said that 

as early as 4 p. m. , some 10,000 people were already assembled inside the old Tagbilaran Airport where the huge stage was located for the concert of several artists and bands. 

Singer-musician RnB singer Luke Mejares, a Boholano, performed.  Range 999, J-Blaque, Makii, RKTeq, Kyle Zagado, Freshe, Mocha Uson and Moreno’s actor son Joaquin Domagoso also performed. 

Oliva said between 6 p. m. to 7 p. m. , the crowd ballooned to 20,000 and peaked at 40,000 when Moreno was already on the stage talking directly to the people. 

It was also in his Bohol visit that Domagoso challenged Vice Presidentiable Leni Robredo to tell the truth that he and other presidentiables were offered to back- out from the presidential race. 

He also accused Robredo and the "yellowpink" of being a bully. He cited incidents where pro-Robredo businessmen allegedly threatened to fire employees who are supporting other presidentiables. 

"Ang tanong ko kayo lang ba ang may karapatan tumakbo?  Kayo lang ba ang may karapatan na tumakbo sa pagka pangulo? Kayo lang ba ang magaling? Kasi puro BBS eh-bilib na bilib sa sarili. I challenge the Vice President pasinungalingan niyo kami kung hindi kayo nag-attempt nang makita ng taong bayan ang katotohanan," said Domagaso during an ambush interview with the media. 

Presidentiable and former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella visits Bohol province on Tuesday afternoon, April 19, 2022.  Photo: Leo Udtohan

Former presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella met with pastors in Bohol province on Tuesday afternoon, April 19. 

At least 200 pastors from different denominations attended the "pambansang usapan" with Abella held at the March of Faith Seminary in Barangay San Isidro in Tagbilaran City. 

"I find it very necessary for participatory governance. We're getting more mature. We can have a conversation. A wise approach to governance. They combined faith with wisdom, with logic," said Abella. 

His visit was considered by pastors "a surprise by an angel."

"I am not here because I have great machinery, I am not here because I have enough time.  It's the story of the kingdom of God, let those who have ears let them hear. It's your choice. But I love you Bohol. I wish you the best," said Abella, a pastor from Davao City. 

The former foreign Affairs undersecretary and presidential spokesperson said he has no vice president "since I can work with anybody."

Some pastors told Abella that they have to choose between him and Senator Manny Pacquiao - who are both ministers of God.  Pacquiao had a dialogue with them during his visit to Bohol last year. 

"Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na practise discernment. There is no competition between Manny and me. Mukhang ang problema nila they made a commitment at nahihirapan sila. At the end of the day, people should make the best choice for the nation," Abella said.

Abella also visited Dao Public Market and bus terminal.

"Philippines is a destiny. It will become a light to the (other) nations," he said. 

Despite these highly charged mammoth rallies, however, the political observers said that machinery will still spell the difference on May 9.

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