Support, protest greet Marcos in Bacolod

THE visit of Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Bacolod City on Tuesday, April 12, drew mixed reactions — he was greeted by both warm welcome and protests as he campaigned to become the country’s next vice president.

Marcos was joined by his wife Louise and son Zandro when he met with Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., Mayor Monico Puentevella and representatives from sugar-planting groups.

He first met with Navarra at the Bishop’s House.

Navarra said his meeting with Marcos was “very cordial and (we exchanged) pleasantries,” and they did not talk about politics.

“We wish him all the best. I told him to keep cool and treat everybody as his friend. (And) maintain his desire to serve the people if ever he gets elected,” the bishop said.

At the Provincial Capitol, Marcos had a 20-minute meeting with Marañon, who complemented the senator on the way he handled himself during the vice presidential debate on Sunday.

Marañon said that Marcos was very patient. “I admire how you handled it and kept your cool,” he told the senator, who replied that he expected the tirades and that he prepared for it.

Marcos, who is leading in vice presidential surveys, is hoping to sway Marañon, a staunch supporter of the administration candidates, to his side.

“We’ve known each other for quite a long time. He knows me as a person. Maganda naman ang pagkakakilala niya sa akin. Whether or not (the governor will support me), we will continue to campaign,” the senator said.

Marcos added that politics is a game of addition, “we’d like many people to join us in our campaign. And we’d be very pleased if all the leaders will also support and help us.”

He noted that Filipino voters were quite independent and that he feels he has a connection with them.

On Marcos’ leading the surveys, Marañon said the senator has to maintain his lead because his numbers are surging fast, as he cited the case of vice president and presidential candidate Jejomar Binay, who initially led the surveys, but is now at the third spot.

“It’s volatile and anything can happen,” the governor added.

Moreover, Marañon admitted that many Negrenses are also supporting the bid of Marcos.

Marcos said that his wife traces her roots to Bago City.

“Everyone here is Ilonggo by birth. I’m Ilonggo by choice because I married an Ilongga from Bago. I have a particularly close feeling for Bacolod and Negros,” he added.

Marcos said that he is lucky that the local candidates in Negros Occidental are his friends, although he recognized that they are members of a party and that they have to work within the confines of the party line.

“They know my capabilities and my plans. That’s how we are approaching the different areas and Negros is one of them. We feel we have the support of all quarters,” he added.

Marcos also met with the group of sugar planters at the Sugarland Hotel.

He said they talked about the problems of the sugar industry and how to address these.

“We exchanged ideas on agriculture and climate change,” he said.

‘Remember us’

Puentevella, who also welcomed the Marcos family at the City Mayor’s Office, said he is optimistic that Marcos will not forget Bacolod should he be elected vice president.

Like Marañon, Puentevella had also declared his support for Roxas and his running mate, Camarines Sur Representative Maria Leonor Robredo.

“I guess if he wins, he will remember us if he is in paradise. If he will be given a blessing from above, I’m sure he will help us,” the mayor said.

“If he wins, I will ask if he can help us (facilitate) for a 500-meter runway extension in our airport. Iloilo was able to add another 500 meters to their runaway because they have a Senate President,” Puentevella said.

In response, Marcos said he had always been supportive of the development efforts of the people in Negros since his wife is also from here.

Rally

About 50 members of militant groups Karapatan and Bayan in Negros Occidental picketed at the Central Market, where Marcos was slated to meet with the vendors in the morning, and at Casa Orola on Rizal Street, where the senator swore in members of BBM Volunteers in the afternoon.

Clarizza Dagatan, secretary-general of Karapatan-Negros, said they are calling on the people not to give Marcos a chance to return to power.

“He has no remorse over the human rights abuses committed by his family during the Martial Law,” she said.

‘Miriam not yet out of the race’

Meanwhile, Marcos said that his standard bearer, Senator Miriam Santiago, is not yet out of the presidential race even if the latter is lagging behind in surveys.

“Senator Miriam is not out of the race. She remains to be my presidential candidate. I will continue to campaign for her,” Marcos said.

He added that he has no second choice for president. “My only choice is Senator Miriam for president.”

Marcos said he believes that he and Santiago would surprise many people when the results of the May 9 elections will come in.

“I’m sure many people will be surprised. She is down in the surveys and it looks like there’s no support for her but if you go to specific areas, there’s a lot of people who are supporting her,” he noted.

Marcos said that he would join Santiago in Iloilo City on Wednesday, April 13.

Moreover, Marcos, who took the lead with 28 percent in the latest Pulse Asia vice presidential survey released Tuesday, said he “really attributes the survey results to the message we bring, which is unity and cooperation.”

The senator said he considers all the other vice presidential aspirants as his toughest opponent.

“I take all of my oppositions seriously,” he added.

He said that “the judicious way to handle it (the campaign) is to consider everybody serious contenders. And that’s what I’m doing.”

#NoToMarcos