BACOLOD CITY—With a promise to deliver at least 10 million votes, a former ally of President Benigno Aquino III on Friday led his more than 30 colleagues from the party-list bloc in the first “mass defection” of lawmakers to back the candidacies of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero.
Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, a former Liberal Party provincial chairman, cited the need for the country to have new leaders who will truly serve the interest of the people.
“I believe in the integrity and competence of Senator Poe to lead the country,” said Benitez, now the leader of the local political group “Love Negros.”
Liberal Party stalwarts on Friday said they were not surprised by Benitez’s move to support Poe instead of administration standard bearer Manuel Roxas II.
Iloilo Rep. Jerry Trenas, member of the Visayan Bloc in the House of Representatives led by Benitez, said Benitez’s move to bolt the administration coalition had expected as there had earlier been reports on his plan to jump ship.
Benitez vowed to use all his influence in the province to deliver the votes for Poe and Escudero.
It was the first mass defection of lawmakers to the Partido Galing at Puso after the Supreme Court, in a 9-6 vote, reversed the decision of the Commission on Elections cancelling her Certificate of Candidacy for president.
But Benitez said that as of the moment, the House Visayan bloc that he used to head was not part of his open declaration to support Poe and Escudero.
Political observers considered Benitez’s support for Poe and Escudero as a setback for the presidential bid of LP standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II.
While some consider the province a “Mar Roxas country,” the mother of Poe, veteran actress Susan Roces, was born here.
Butil party-list Rep. Agapito Guanlao, president of the 40-man Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., vowed to commit 10 million votes from their group to ensure the victory of Poe and Escudero.
Guanlao said Poe’s platform under her “Gobyernong may Puso” was consistent with their advocacies for their respective sectors.
Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson and Ilocos Sur Vice Gov. Jeremy Singson, both stalwarts of the Nacionalista Party of former Senate President Manny Villar, also joined Benitez in the press conference to express support for Poe and Escudero.
Former Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones said his group “will campaign very hard for them [Poe and Escudero].
Poe, who is going around Negros Occidental with her mother, said she was grateful and overwhelmed by the show of support from different group.
Poe thanked Benitez and the party-list bloc for supporting her and Escudero.
“We are thankful to their support and we welcome them,” Poe said.
Escudero said: “we are honored by their decision to come out in the open to endorse us. This is very significant to us.”
