Disgruntled Cebuanos urged: Vote for “Otso Diretso” bets

CEBU, Philippines — Former President Benigno Aquino III has called on Cebuano voters disgruntled with the Duterte administration to support his senatorial candidates from the Otso Diretso slate in the May 2019 elections.

"Kung hindi ka happy sa mga pangyayari ngayon sa bansa, kung hindi ka happy sa pangangamba, kung hindi ka happy sa mga inaataking institusyon, eh sa Otso Diretso na tayo," Aquino said in an interview after a forum at the Southwestern University yesterday.

Aquino joined five of the eight opposition bets during the “Manindigan Democracy” forum. Those who attended were Manuel “Chel” Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Erin Tañada, Romeo Macalintal, and Florin Hilbay.

The other members of the Otso Diretso team-- Senator Bam Aquino, Magdalo Partylis Rep. Gary Alejano, and Mar Roxas were absent yesterday.

 The opposition bets have urged the public not to commit mistake in choosing their candidates. A public consultation on relevant issues was held yesterday afternoon at the IEC Pavilion, where Otso Diretso candidates directly answer questions from representatives of various sectors.

Macalintal bared his platforms on additional benefits for senior citizens when asked by Lolita Lomibao. Children’s rights advocate Atty. Joan Saniel also presented concerns to Alejano through his representative Elmer Cruz.

 Tañada heard concerns from the fisherfolks while Gutoc dealt with the concerns from the women sector. Hilbay assured the labor sector of reforms while Caloocan Rep. Egay Erice, who represented Roxas, promised to take care of the concerns of the transport sector.

 Bam’s wife, Timi, assured the youth sector that her husband will continue to work for the benefits of the young people in the country.

The Otso Diretso candidates also visited yesterday several public markets in Metro Cebu. — FPL (FREEMAN)