Moreno campaigns in Ilocos Region: 'Pahingi naman ng kaunting boto'

SAN FERNANDO, La Union - Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Thursday urged Ilocanos to back his campaign to become the country's next president.

Moreno's first stop in the Ilocos Region was La Union province, which is considered a bailiwick of fellow presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

“Masaya na ko makakuha ng kaunting boto sa lugar na ito. Kumbaga bawat boto mahalaga. So sana sa mga Ilocano, sa mga [taga-]Northern Luzon, pahingi naman po ng kaunting boto, kahit kaunti lang, pangdagdag din,” he told reporters.

(I would be happy to receive a small number of votes in this area. Every vote counts. To the Ilocanos and people of Northern Luzon, I am requesting a modest number of votes to complement my support.)

There are 3.5 million registered voters in the region for the May 9 polls, according to the Commission on Elections.

According to Moreno, one of the problems in the Northern and Central Luzon is its dwindling agricultural sector.

“Marami nang nawawalang nagbabawang sa Northern Luzon gawa ng importation… so unti-unti nang namamatay ang bawang,” he said.

(Due to importation, many garlic producers in Northern Luzon have vanished. Garlic production in the area is dwindling.)

“Second, Central Luzon, umiiyak ngayon yung ating mga magsisibuyas, dahil bumaha ng imported na sibuyas dahil pinayagan natin,” he added.

(Second, our onion farmers in Central Luzon are crying due to the influx of imported onions that we authorized.)

Moreno said that if elected president, he will address the “situation of neglect of agencies of government.”

Meanwhile, Moreno appealed to the public to vote for his running mate Dr. Willie Ong as well as his senatorial bets Samira Gutoc, Carl Balita, and Jopet Sison.

"Any help will do. But again and again, ang gusto ko po sana, ang pinakikiusap ko, wag niyo po kami paghiwalayin ni Dr. Wilie,” he said.

(Any help will do. But again and again, my request is that Dr. Willie and I not be separated.)

He made the remark when questioned about those endorsing the Moreno-Duterte tandem.

Ong, meanwhile, assured Filipinos of a new governance style.

“Alam niyo naman hindi ako politiko, gusto ko lang tumulong. ‘Yan lang naman ang goal natin,” he said.

(You know that I am not a politician. I just want to help. That's my only goal.)

“Sa tingin ko kung susubukan ninyo ako, magugulat kayo, marami akong magagawang maganda. Lalo na sa tulong ni Mayor Isko, marami kami magandang magagawa sa bayan. Makakatikim kayo ng bagong pamumuno at hindi na yung mga lumang style ng politiko,” he added.

(I believe that if you take a chance on me, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much good I can do. With Mayor Isko's assistance, we can do a lot for the country. You will be introduced to a different leadership style rather than the old one.) — VBL, GMA News