A crowd of some 5,000 people in Olongapo listen to the senatorial candidates running under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 13, 2019, at Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Hall. (Photo by JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT / Inquirer Central Luzon)
OLONGAPO CITY 鈥� Only eight of the 13 senatorial candidates running under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party showed up in its afternoon rally here on Wednesday.
Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, Sen. Cynthia Villar, and Francis Tolentino were the first ones to take turns in addressing the crowd at the Rizal Triangle Multi-purpose Hall at 2:00 p.m.
They were later joined on the stage by Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos; re-electionist Sen. JV Ejercito and his half-brother, former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada; former Special Assistant to the President Christopher 鈥淏ong鈥� Go, and former broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad.
Police said at least 5,000 people trooped to the venue to hear the senatorial candidates present their platforms and plans.
Those who failed to attend the campaign caravan were re-electionists Sen. Sonny Angara and Sen. Aquilino 鈥淜oko鈥� Pimentel III鈥檚, former Sen. Pia Cayetano and Ramon Revilla Jr., who was represented by his wife Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado.
Ronald 鈥淏ato鈥� de la Rosa, former chief of the Bureau of Corrections, also failed to attend the caravan.
HNP is the regional party of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who was also present during the rally to endorse the senatorial aspirants.
Resident Loida Villena, 69, said she attended the event to know the platforms of the wannabes.
Estrellita Sin, 73, said she would vote for them because she believed that they would continue the fight against illegal drugs. /atm