19 party-list groups endorse Gibo

MANILA, Philippines – A coalition of 19 party-list organizations including thousands of urban poor residents in Tondo, Manila declared their support for administration candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

Former Interior secretary Rafael Alunan also joined in support of Teodoro.

Their endorsements came after Davao-based Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ picked Teodoro on Sunday.

Quiboloy said his congregation chose Teodoro among the presidential candidates who have been trying to get his endorsement.

Alunan, on the other hand, said he picked Teodoro as his personal favorite.

“My presidential candidate is an underdog even in his own party (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), stabbed in the front, back and sides by treacherous partymates,” he said.

Alunan described Teodoro as “a non-traditional politician that prefers the high to the low road.”

Party-list groups of various political orientations also declared their support for Teodoro’s presidential bid yesterday afternoon.

Banat (Barangay Association for National Advancement and Transparency) Rep. Salvador Britanico led other party- list representatives in declaring their support for Teodoro.

The other party-list representatives including Rep. Godofredo Arquiza of Senior Citizens, Rep. Jun Alcover of ANAD and Rep. Grace Abayon of Aangat-Tayo signed a manifesto of support for Teodoro.

“We believe in Gibo’s vision for the country and the Filipino people and are willing to support him for the realization of his vision,” the group declared in a press briefing at the Serye restaurant in Quezon City. –Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)