BY REGINA BENGCO (Malaya)
Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/04262010/news7.html
DAVAO CITY. –Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Saturday night expressed support for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, even if the latter is backing his rival and second cousin Sen. Benigno Aquino III.
Teodoro, in a speech before a crowd of 2,000 at the Rizal Park here, said Duterte is a "real friend." He said he used to be Duterte’s lawyer in the 1990s.
"Gusto kong pasalamatan ang isang tunay na kaibigan. Bagama’t iba ang partido niya ay nirerespeto ko pa rin siya…Ang aking paghanga sa taong iyan ay hindi magbabago," he said, eliciting loud applause.
Duterte, who is running for vice mayor, and his daughter Sara, who is eyeing the mayoralty post, were not present during the campaign rally.
The administration candidate for mayor here, Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., was also not around because of his feud with Teodoro.
Nograles has asked Teodoro to shape up or ship out of the party if he could not attend to the requests of its local candidates. He has threatened to support another presidential candidate, along with those he claimed are disgruntled members of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
Teodoro, for his part, dared Nograles to make good his threat.
Only Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Lagdameo, Teodoro’s cousin, and his wife actress Dawn Zulueta, were on hand.
Presidential assistant for special projects Madeleine Marfori, Nograles’ political rival, got special thanks from Teodoro for helping organize his campaign rally.
Teodoro, in his speech, batted for genuine national unity and reconciliation. He said this is the reason he does not attack or besmirch anyone.
"Kung ang isang lider ay puro atake ang ginagawa, how can he unite the country? Kaya kahit masakit minsan sa akin, I turn the other cheek," he said.
In what could be interpreted as a swipe at his disloyal party mates, he asked the people to support his running mate Edu Manzano, whom he described as "tunay, tapat at hindi ka iiwanan."
Teodoro said he wants the same unity to achieve growth for Mindanao, including new power plants to prevent more brownouts and improved seaports and airports for major investor destinations in the area.
"Let us start here, with a genuine reconciliation under a principled and competent government," he said.
Teodoro also asked his supporters to help enlighten those who believe in the presidential surveys, where he is currently running in fourth place.
He said he believes more in the voice of the people and would prefer to wait for their verdict on May 10.
Manzano said people should vote for Teodoro because he is the most qualified among the presidential aspirants.
"Elections are not won by radio interviews or the number of appearances on television. It’s not won by surveys. Previous elections have shown that," he said.
Lagdameo said defections, and threats of defection, are normal during election season. He said members cannot be forced to support candidates they do not like.
He said Teodoro’s camp has no problems with Duterte because he lets all candidates campaign in his area.
Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/04262010/news7.html
DAVAO CITY. –Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Saturday night expressed support for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, even if the latter is backing his rival and second cousin Sen. Benigno Aquino III.
Teodoro, in a speech before a crowd of 2,000 at the Rizal Park here, said Duterte is a "real friend." He said he used to be Duterte’s lawyer in the 1990s.
"Gusto kong pasalamatan ang isang tunay na kaibigan. Bagama’t iba ang partido niya ay nirerespeto ko pa rin siya…Ang aking paghanga sa taong iyan ay hindi magbabago," he said, eliciting loud applause.
Duterte, who is running for vice mayor, and his daughter Sara, who is eyeing the mayoralty post, were not present during the campaign rally.
The administration candidate for mayor here, Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., was also not around because of his feud with Teodoro.
Nograles has asked Teodoro to shape up or ship out of the party if he could not attend to the requests of its local candidates. He has threatened to support another presidential candidate, along with those he claimed are disgruntled members of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
Teodoro, for his part, dared Nograles to make good his threat.
Only Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Lagdameo, Teodoro’s cousin, and his wife actress Dawn Zulueta, were on hand.
Presidential assistant for special projects Madeleine Marfori, Nograles’ political rival, got special thanks from Teodoro for helping organize his campaign rally.
Teodoro, in his speech, batted for genuine national unity and reconciliation. He said this is the reason he does not attack or besmirch anyone.
"Kung ang isang lider ay puro atake ang ginagawa, how can he unite the country? Kaya kahit masakit minsan sa akin, I turn the other cheek," he said.
In what could be interpreted as a swipe at his disloyal party mates, he asked the people to support his running mate Edu Manzano, whom he described as "tunay, tapat at hindi ka iiwanan."
Teodoro said he wants the same unity to achieve growth for Mindanao, including new power plants to prevent more brownouts and improved seaports and airports for major investor destinations in the area.
"Let us start here, with a genuine reconciliation under a principled and competent government," he said.
Teodoro also asked his supporters to help enlighten those who believe in the presidential surveys, where he is currently running in fourth place.
He said he believes more in the voice of the people and would prefer to wait for their verdict on May 10.
Manzano said people should vote for Teodoro because he is the most qualified among the presidential aspirants.
"Elections are not won by radio interviews or the number of appearances on television. It’s not won by surveys. Previous elections have shown that," he said.
Lagdameo said defections, and threats of defection, are normal during election season. He said members cannot be forced to support candidates they do not like.
He said Teodoro’s camp has no problems with Duterte because he lets all candidates campaign in his area.
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