Handout photo, Team Atty. Jimmy Bondoc

MANILA — Six out of nine senatorial candidates of Duterte-led Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP-Laban) took their campaign to the local level in a meeting with 180 barangay chairpersons in the city of Manila.

The “unity gathering” was organized by Barangay 670 chair Aleyah Bidua on Sunday, February to show support for the senatorial bets of the former ruling party of which former President Rodrigo Duterte is chair.

Present at the meeting were Sens. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher  “Bong” Go, former Local Government Undersecretary Jayvee Hinlo, actor Phillip Salvador, former Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon Raul Lambino, and former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. board member Jimmy Bondoc.

Vlogger “Boss Dada” joined the meeting as representative of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is in jail while facing qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse cases.

Duterte ibinida ang senatorial bets ng PDP-Laban

'TEAM SUKA'

Most of Duterte’s senatorial bets capitalized on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s comments about their lack of qualifications as they referred to themselves as Team Suka.

Bondoc meanwhile highlighted what he called “Duterte principles” of anti-criminality, anti-drugs and anti-corruption.

He also hit the blank items in the bicameral conference report of the 2025 national budget, which the Palace said were not in the enrolled bill sent to Marcos Jr. for his signature.

“P241 billion under our noses in-insert, pinaglaruan… nag-file ako ng kaso. Tapos sasabihin nila suka kami? Wala daw kaming kayang gawin?” Bondoc said.

Bondoc was reacting to the President's criticism that Duterte's candidates seem to lack experience.

“Nagtataka nga ako parang ‘yung mga iba na naging kandidato eh nag-deliver lang yata ng suka eh nabigyan na ng certificate of candidacy dahil walang ikukumpara sa ating mga kandidato," Marcos Jr. said this week, referencing a Filipino idiom for people who are unprepared and unqualified for complex tasks.

(I am really wondering because some of the other candidates were only sent out to deliver vinegar but were given a certificate of candidacy because they are no comparison to our candidates)

Bato blasts Marcos Jr. for 'uncalled for' comments about PDP candidates

Lambino for his part also underscored the need to combat corruption for the country to attain self-sufficiency.

“Mura po ‘yung mga pagkain sa probinsya, sa nayon, pero hindi po nakakarating sa Kamaynilaan ang karamihan kaya mahal ang pagkain, kulang sa suplay,” he noted.

He also took a swipe at administration’s senatorial slate, Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas by making a reference to a debunked video alleging drug use by Marcos Jr.

Dela Rosa, Salvador and Hinlo meanwhile lambasted the “ayuda” dependency allegedly being perpetuated by the government through programs like the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations and Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program social welfare programs.

'VOTE PDP LABAN TO PROTECT VP DUTERTE'

Salvador wants to focus on job creation and senior citizen’s welfare while Hinlo said he advocates for developing regions and agriculture.

They also asked the village officials to vote only for the PDP Laban bets, with Hinlo emphasizing the need to secure votes to prevent the unseating of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Lahat kami dapat makapasok para ‘pag nakapasok yung lahat ng PDP-Laban vote straight kayo. Wag niyo na dagdagan ang 10, 11, 12. Makadagdag pa ‘yan sa kabila,” Hinlo said.

(All of us need to get in. But if you check our names on the ballot, don't check those of others. That will just add to the numbers of our opponents)

Go, for his part, highlighted the need to prioritize delivering health services to the public.

“Magkakaroon po ng mahigit 700 na super health centers sa buong Pilipinas… pagdating ng panahon ‘yan pa ang pararamihin natin dito sa Maynila,” he said.

Quiboloy representative “Boss Dada” meanwhile also urged the local officials to vote for PDP Laban bets if they do not want VP Duterte to be unseated.

He said Quiboloy would serve as the Senate's "moral compass" if elected.

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