GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/06 March) — President Benigno S. Aquino III reiterated his confidence on Wednesday over the chances of the administration-backed Team Pnoy of winning all 12 senatorial seats in the May 13 mid-term elections.
The President said he expects his administration’s accomplishments in the economy as well as the institution of “tangible reforms in governance” to carry his candidates to victory in the polls.
“I’ve made good with my campaign promises and with that, I have full faith that my bosses will not fail me this time,” he said during a meeting of local government and community leaders at the city gymnasium.
The meeting, which was attended by around 2,000 community leaders and local officials from various parts of Region 12, also served as the proclamation event for Team Pnoy’s senatorial and local candidates.
Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
Six of Team Pnoy’s 12 senatorial bets — former senator Jamby Madrigal, Congressman Juan Edgardo Angara, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and former Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros — joined the event along with its campaign manager Senator Franklin Drilon.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas also joined the campaign swing, which kicked off on Tuesday in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat.
Team PNoy made campaign stops on Tuesday in Koronadal City and in Tupi and Polomolok towns in South Cotabato.
During his speech, the President personally introduced Team Pnoy’s 12 senatorial candidates, whom he assured would all continue his administration’s legacy even beyond the end of his term in 2016.
“Marami ang nagtatanong kung paano natin maitutulak ang ating naumpisahang mga reporma pagkatapos ng aking termino sa 2016, ang sagot natin dyan ay ang Team Pnoy,” he said.
He also urged community leaders and residents to go all-out for the team’s local candidates in the May polls.
“Kasama rin sila sa inaasahan nating magtataguyod ng ating mga adhikain. They’re our future leaders and hope beyond 2016,” the President said.
Among the local candidates personally endorsed by the President were South Cotabato (1st District) Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, who is running for governor of South Cotabato, and re-electionists General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, North Cotabato Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza, Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel, and South Cotabato (1st District) Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)