The national leadership of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) on Saturday reaffirmed its support for the candidacy of presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. even as they dispelled reports that some members in its Baguio chapter have shifted their allegiance to another candidate.
In a press conference in Baguio City, KBL vice president for Luzon Chris Garrido read the party’s official statement, saying that there is no truth to the reported withdrawal of support from its Baguio chapter members.
“This is to inform the public that there is no truth to the publicized withdrawal of support of the KBL members in Baguio City. We want to assure you that our officers and members are fully in support of BBM,” a portion of the statement signed by KBL national president Efren A Rafanan Sr. stated.
On Wednesday, a group of KBL-Baguio Benguet officers were invited to a private residence lunch meeting and asked to bring their appointment papers by a fellow party official.
Several officers who attended the Wednesday event explained to the media members that they were kept in the dark about the reason for the meeting.
After entering the venue, the group said that the gates were closed behind them, and media members streamed in, taking photos and videos. They added that they felt helpless as a tarpaulin bearing the image of Isko Domagoso was unfurled behind them while they were raising their KBL appointment papers.
The group also showed a T-shirt, ID sling, and a pack of rice given to them by the event organizer they identified as Aries Mendoza.
According to Rafanan, an initial investigation revealed a nationwide effort from the camp of presidential candidate Isko Domagoso to “present a scenario” where Marcos supporters are backing out and switching to Domagoso.
Rafanan added that Domagoso’s move is “a desperate attempt” to show an artificial increase in the number of his supporters and prevent the irreversible victory of BBM in this coming election.
Rafanan also said that the KBL leadership is mulling the filing of charges against the individuals responsible for the “frame up” and “vote buying” directed at their members.
Rafanan added that Domagoso’s move is a “desperate attempt” to show an artificial increase in his supporters’ number and prevent the irreversible victory of BBM in this coming election.
Marcos, Jr. meanwhile vowed to work to bring down the price of rice, a staple for Filipinos, in his administration after he wins in the May 9 presidential elections.
With barely three weeks remaining before the May polls, Marcos Jr. said that subsidizing the price of rice will be one of the options they will try to explore in the first year of his administration.