Doc Willie OK with Castriciones addition to Senate slate

Aksyon Demokratiko vice-presidential bet Willie Ong has no problem with the addition of former Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones to the party’s Senate slate for Eleksyon 2022, despite his group’s endorsement of another vice presidential candidate.

“Ah, tanungin niyo na lang si John. Ako kasi, ok naman sa akin lahat eh. Kung gusto niyo ko thank you, pag di niyo ko gusto, thank you din. Wala naman problema,” he said in an ambush interview.

(You should ask John. For me, I’m okay with everyone. If they prefer me, then thank you, if you don’t prefer me. I still thank you. There’s no problem.)

“Tutal pag nagkasakit kayo ako naman hahanapin niyo,” he added.

(Besides, if you get sick, I will be the one you will look for.)

Ong said Castriciones was well-versed on agriculture matters, adding that he had a long resume. He also said Castriciones was a team player.

“Kaya iwan na natin sa kanya kung sino ang gusto niyang president, sinong gusto niyang vice president. Hindi ko pipilitin ang ibang tao,” he said.

(So let’s leave him be on his preferred president and vice president. Let’s not push people.)

Aksyon Demokratiko chairman Ernest Ramel previously said Castriciones was their “guest candidate” at the moment.

Always welcome

For his part, presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno said Castriciones was always welcome to join their campaign activities.

“Inaantabayanan na lang namin kasi pwede naman siyang pumunta sa iba niyang schedule, especially, alam naman natin na meron silang organisasyon na natutulungan din niya,” he said in a separate interview.

(We are waiting for him, because he has his own schedule, especially since he has a group that he helps.)

“So good for him, but he is always welcome nowadays in our motorcade, going around, going to the people, and talking to the people,” he added.

Comelec debate

Meanwhile, Ong said it was Davao Mayor Sara Duterte’s choice to skip the debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in March.

Ong issued the remark when asked if attending debates should be mandatory.

“Para sa akin, hindi. I mean, choice naman niya kung ayaw niya mag-attend. I don't want to force anyone,” Ong said.

(For me, it shouldn’t be mandatory. It’s her choice if she doesn’t want to attend. I don’t want to force anyone.)

Duterte’s spokesman, Liloan Mayor Cristina Frasco earlier said she would not attend the debate as her camp did not receive any formal invitation from the poll body.

However, Ong said it would be better to show himself to the public.

“Ako kasi pag alam ko, alam ko. Pag hindi ko alam, hindi ko alam. Doctor naman ako, 18 years na ako nag aaral. Siguro naman lahat ng tanong from a to z masasagot ko naman,” he said.

(I know what I know. If I don't know, then I don’t know. I am a doctor, and I studied for 18 years. I feel that maybe I can answer all the questions from a to z.)

“Kailangan kasi honesty. ‘Yun ang tingin ko. Honest tayo sa tao, ito lang offer ko, hindi ko sosobrahan. Ito magagawa ko, baka ito hindi ko kaya, ito kulang ko, para at least para hindi sumakit ang ulo niyo,” he added.

(We need honesty. That’s my view. We should be honest, that this is what I offer. Let’s not go overboard. This is what I can do, maybe I can’t do this, I am lacking in this. I'm being honest so you won't get a headache.)

— DVM, GMA News