The multifaceted character of the Philippine political system has surfaced anew with the endorsement by the well-knit Confederation of Ilocano Associations Inc. better known as Samahang Ilocanos of former Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for president and vice president in the May elections.
Badoc Vice Mayor Tom Torralba, Samahang national and international president, said the Roxas-Marcos tandem “represents mature, brilliant, tried and tested leaders from the northern and southern sections of the country.”
Torralba who is running for mayor of Badoc, said Samahang Ilocano with roughly 3.5-million card-bearing members in the country and abroad was founded by Atty Julius Magno of Mangaldan, Pangasinan in 1971.
Torralba said their choice of Roxas and Marcos was made after several consultations and discussions on the qualities of the candidates and their preparedness to serve the national body politic.
“Their choice was based not on narrow regionalism but on nationalism,” Torralba said, adding that “in the long run, we serve the Ilocano association better that way.”
When told that Roxas is a cousin of Marcos’ wife, Liza, Torralba said, “it’s a happy coincidence.”
Originally conceived to be a social aggrupation of “progressive minded professionals and student leaders, union leaders and farmers,” Samahan has evolved into an international socio-civic association that seeks to institutionalize sterling Ilocano traits of “industry, versatility, leadership in politics, the arts and other human endeavors, solidarity and unity.”
Torralba said Samahan members come from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija ,Metro Manila, Kalinga Apayao, Cordillera, Abra, Benguet, Zambales and Olongapo City, Mindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and Davao.
It also has members in Hongkong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Macau, Taiwan, Dubai, Washington, California, Nevada, Canada, Spain.