Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) continued his campaign on Wednesday (February 17) going around Pangasinan to woo some of its 1.7 million voters.
Upon arriving at the airport, Binay immediately hopped on a truck for a motorcade around the municipality of Binmaley and Pangasinan’s provincial capital — Lingayen.
He was accompanied by UNA senatorial candidates but his running mate, Sen. Gringo Honasan skipped the sortie.
The UNA bets went around giving away shirts, candies, and UNA tarps to bystanders, but the crowd along the route of the motorcade was sparse.
Strong support from local officials
Binay had gone around several towns in Pangasinan to meet local officials as early as July 2015, when he announced plans to seek presidency.
Former Pangasinan representative and now gubernatorial candidate Mark Cojuanco endorsed Binay during those visits.
“Hindi naman natin madidiscount na maraming natulungan si Mark Cojuanco kaya’t malaki na posibilidad na manalo rin si vice president at UNA sa Pangasinan,” UNA Spokesman Mon Ilagan said.
[Translation: “We cannot discount the fact that Mark Cojuangco helped a lot of people so there is a huge possibility that the vice president and UNA will win in Pangasinan.”]
With about 1.7 million voters, Pangasinan is the province with the third largest voting population.
In the 2010 vice presidential race, Binay lost to Manuel “Mar” Roxas II in Pangasinan, while Sen. Grace Poe topped Pangasinan’s senatorial race in 2013.
Also read: Team GP senatorial bets present platforms in Pangasinan
But Ilagan said the past does not intimidate the vice president who is more than willing to go back to Pangasinan if he deems it necessary for his campaign.
Binay’s camp is also confident UNA will win the province with the help of local officials.
“Sinalubong kaagad si vice president ni governor at ng dalawang punong-bayan ng Binmaley at Lingayen. So tanda ito ng pagsupota kay vice president at sa politika kelangan ang organisasyon, lokal na partido, kaibigan, lahat kinakailangang hingan ng tulong,” Ilagan said.
[Translation: “The vice president was immediately welcomed by the governor and the two mayors of Binmaley and Lingayen. This is a sign of support for the vice president and in politics, there needs to be organization, local parties, friends — all of them have to be tapped for help.”]
Also read: Binay still on top despite percentage drop; Duterte, Poe tied for second — SWS
Pangasinenses want president who can solve poverty and corruption
Even with support from local personalities, Binay still made his pitch to the Pangasinenses.
“I present myself to you ladies and gentlemen, I think ako po ang pinaka-capable at fit for the job of president,” the presidential aspirant said.
Locals said they are looking for the best person who can really ease poverty and corruption.
“Kadalasan naiiwanan yung mahihirap eh, saka yung corruption ng mga lider natin patuloy, walang nabago. Sana magkaron nang pagbabago,” one of the residents, Romeo Resurrection, said.
[Translation: “Most of the time, the poor are left behind, and the corruption of leaders are rampant, there has been no change. I am hoping there will be change this time.”]
