KP-Visayas to endorse 8 senatorial candidates

CEBU, Philippines — The Kilusang Pagbabago (KP) has officially endorsed five senatorial candidates in their Visayas-wide congress yesterday that was attended by more than 300 national and local leaders.

The five are Sen. Cynthia Villar, former special assistant to the president Bong Go, former PNP chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Manguindanao Second District Rep. Zajid "Dong" Mangudadatu and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

KP-Visayas lead convenor Doris Mongaya said they still have to choose three more, as they will only endorse eight senatoriables.

"KP will choose only eight senatoriables. The rest of the four senatoriables will be our individual choices," said Mongaya.

Of the five senatoriables, Villar, Mangudadatu and Roque showed up during the congress. Villar, for her part, is thankful for the KP-Visayas support in her reelection bid.

"Akoy nagpapasalamat sa suporta ng KP-Visayas sa akin. Siguro naniniwala sila sa aking mga adbokasiya lalo na sa poverty alleviation," Villar said in a press conference.

Later in the afternoon, Mangudadatu arrived at the Lihok Suporta, Sulong Pederalismo rally organized by KP-Visayas.

Mangudadatu, in his speech, said that the Philippines will be the next Dubai because of the presence of methane gas in Maguindanao amounting to $1.3 trillion.

Mangudadatu also said he was asked by the president to represent the Muslim community at the Senate hall.

Villar, in her speech during the congress, asked everyone to work together to keep the momentum going.

"Let us renew our commitment to pursue continuing change.  Sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Cebu at sa buong Visayas, rest assured po that we are all change-makers here. Sama-sama namin ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan ng magagandang pagbabago para sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating bansa at pag-ginhawa ng buhay ninyong lahat," Villar said.

“We just have to work together, not against each other; to build each other up, instead of tearing each other down, as there are so much work to be done,” she added.

KP will have a political summit for Visayas in February to determine how to go about their campaign as they will be having a caravan to campaign their eight senatoriables in the Visayas. (FREEMAN)