34 mayors defect to Poe camp

The camp of Sen. Grace Poe on Thursday trumpeted the defection of at least 34 mayoralty candidates to their side and the endorsement of two political parties with less than 20 days to go before election day.

On Wednesday, some incumbent and independent candidates from various political groups led by Aksyon Demokratiko formally endorsed Poe’s candidacy in a gathering at Club Filipino in San Juan City.

Aksyon Demokratiko is the political party founded by the late senator Raul Roco.

Among the new batch of politicians who have expressed support for Poe were Tarlac City Mayor and PMP gubernatorial candidate Ace Manalang; Talisay, Batangas Mayor Jerry Natanuan of the Liberal Party; and Aksyon congressional candidate Donna Lun Gerdan.

A total of 23 LP mayoralty bets, five incumbent mayoral candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), and six members of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) also pledged support for Poe’s candidacy.

Also joining Aksyon’s support for the senator were candidates running under the People’s Reform Party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and National Unity Party.

Roco’s son, Aksyon Demokratiko president Robbi Pierre Roco said Poe “represents a healthy and meaningful balance” between continuing the gains of the Aquino administration and changing what are “sorely lacking,” especially in the areas of infrastructure and poverty alleviation.

The party’s vice president, former National Youth Commission Chair Leon Flores III said Poe’s platform is in line with Aksyon’s vision.

“The platform of governance by Grace Poe in her pursuit of a Gobyernong may Puso clearly shows a bias for the vulnerable and marginalized,” he said.

Also on Wednesday, the Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka (PMM) to which the late OFW Family Club Rep. Roy Señeres belonged endorsed the candidacies of Poe and her running mate, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

In a press statement signed by PMM chairman and president Jose Malvar Villegas Jr., the party announced its decision to support the presidential bid of Poe after their original standard bearer, Señeres, passed away last February.

“The ground has been cleared by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Supreme Court for PMM to now adopt a guest candidate for president,” Villegas said.

The party, which boasts of 1.3 million members worldwide, said it will work to deliver votes for the Poe-Escudero tandem in the upcoming elections.

PMM’s chair said the party decided to throw its support behind Poe because “her record as a public official shows that she is the most pro-labor candidate having experienced to be an ordinary employee herself for most part of her working career.”

Escudero, meanwhile, is the candidate whom PMM found to be “most qualified” to become vice president.

Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, Poe’s spokesperson, told PMM that the two senators are grateful over the party’s endorsement. do it, man," said. — APG, GMA News