IN THE homestretch, the bitterest rivals in the presidential race—Manuel Roxas II of the ruling Liberal Party and Vice President Jejomar Binay of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance—visited each other’s bailiwicks and exchanged “prayers” that turned into an acid exchange.
Roxas claimed he already had the backing of the “Solid North” and that made Binay retort: “Bakit? Taga-saan ba siya? Ako ang taga-Norte.”
In Roxas’ bailiwick Antique and Aklan that Binay visited, the vice president chided Roxas for offering a prayer for him that sounded taunting and sarcastic.
Roxas said he prayed for “peace” for Binay during the Mass before the signing of the “truth covenant” on Sunday because the vice president needed it as he would soon be thrown in jail.
“Gagawa ka ng prayer tapos mananakit ka ng tao. Ano ba naman yon?” Binay said.
He vowed that the “vindictiveness and selective justice” for which the Daang Matuwid was known for would end under his leadership.
He said his presidency would be a healing and unifying one.
Roxas, in the past few days, visited the Ilocos region—Binay’s bailiwick as he hails from Isabela—and boasted that 22 of the 23 mayors in Ilocos Norte were backing his presidential bid.
“With one week to go before the elections, and with 22 of 23 mayors from various parties supporting the Daang Matuwid would be a big help. We would show the whole Philippines come May 9 that there are still more decent and upright Filipinos who support decent leadership,” Roxas said.
“The Solid North is now solid for Mar. Everywhere, people are coming out to declare their support for Mar, and their leaders have followed their lead. [Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo] Fariñas and the 22 mayors of Ilocos Norte are only the latest in the wave of people and their leaders that have rallied to the banner of Mar Roxas. We had our show of force. We had our Unity Walk. And as we gain more momentum, more and more would come out and stand alongside Mar Roxas,” said LP spokesman Akbayan Rep. Barry Gutierrez.
Not to be outdone, Binay said he saw a big win in the “Solid North” and that the opposition in Roxas’ bailiwicks had already united behind him.
“[On Tuesday] I was in the territory of Mr… Teritoryo niya yun, nagpunta ako sa Capiz. Napakainit ng pagtanggap sa amin ni Sen. Pacquiao. Nagpunta kami sa Antique, nagpunta kami sa Aklan. Same. Yung Aklan nagkaisa na ang mga opposition doon,” Binay said.
In Laoag City, while Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos said she would not endorse any presidential candidate, she acknowledged: “VP Binay is the sentimental choice for Ilocos Norte because he is from the North.”
In Cauayan, Isabela, Binay said among the five presidential candidates he was the only one from Northern Luzon. Christine F. Herrera and Vito Barcelo
He also won big in the region in 2010 despite the absence of support from most local officials.
“Ni minsan hindi pa nagkaroon ng taga-Isabelang pangulo. Pero ang importante, hindi ninyo naman ako ikahihiya kapag ako ay ibinoto ninyo,” he said in a campaign speech before some 10,000 Isabela residents in Wednesday’s sortie.
The Vice President, who spoke mostly in Ibanag, said aside from tracing his roots to Isabela, he was the most qualified and fit to become president.
Binay’s mother, the late Lourdes Cabauatan, is from Cabagan, Isabela.
He added that politics would not stand in the way of his friendship with Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III and his plans for the region as well as the country.
Dy is Roxas’ close ally and party mate being a member of the Liberal Party.
Dy hosted lunch for the Vice President and other UNA candidates that was attended by at least 18 mayors, other local officials, provincial board members, heads of sectoral groups, the Councilors’ League and Liga ng mga Barangay.
“Basta’t kami ay magkaibigan. Hindi ang pulitika ang sisira sa pagkakaibigan namin ni Gov. Dy. Saka tingnan na lang natin sa bandang huli kung ano ang resulta dito sa Isabela,” Binay said.
“Ako sa simula’t simula, lagi kong sinasabi, kami ay dapat magkaisa dahil sa nakakalimutan na yung aming probinsya. Nakakalimutan na yung aming lahi.”