The vice presidential candidate is courting Bacolod City voters in a campaign stop with his wife, who traces her roots to Bago City

Published 8:00 AM, April 13, 2016

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr is hoping to drum up support for his vice presidential bid in Negros Occidental, a known bailiwick of Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel Roxas II, as he campaigned in this city accompanied by his Negrense wife.

The vice presidential candidate was in the capital of Negros Occidental province on Tuesday, April 12, to meet with Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and barangay leaders.

He also called on Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., a staunch supporter of Roxas, and Mayor Monico Puentevella at the Provincial Capitol and the People's House.

The province is a known bailiwick of Roxas, whose mother Judy Araneta-Roxas is from Bago City.

Marcos' wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos, also traces her roots to Bago City. She is also the second cousin of the administration candidate.

"Everyone here is Ilonggo by birth. I'm Ilonggo by choice because I married an Ilongga from Bago. I have a particularly close feeling for Bacolod and Negros," Marcos said.

He added that local candidates were friends of his, though he acknowledged that they are members of the LP, and that they have to work within the confines of the party line.

"They know my capabilities and my plans. That's how we are approaching different areas, and Negros is one of them. We feel we have support of all quarters," the senator said.

Asked if he could sway Marañon on his side, Marcos said that it was clear that the governor is with the majority, but did not dismiss the possibility.

"We've known each other for quite a long time. He knows me as a person. Maganda naman pagkakakilala niya sa akin. Whether or not [the governor will support me], we will continue to campaign," the senator said.

He added, "We'd like many people to join us in our campaign. And we'd be very pleased if all the leaders will also support and help us."

Marañon backing Robredo

While Marañon admitted that many Negrenses are also supporting Marcos' bid, he said that he is backing the candidacy of the LP's vice presidential bet, Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo.

"I'm for Leni...When I said I'm supporting a candidate, I will really support that candidate. I won't betray that support. If I don't like the candidate, I will tell them frankly that I don't like them and that I'm supporting somebody else," Marañon said.

The governor also complimented Marcos on how he handled himself during Sunday's vice presidential debate. The senator was the subject of attacks from his rivals over the ill-gotten wealth amassed by his family during the martial law years.

"I admire his patience," Marañon said.

Meetings, protests

Accompanied by his wife and son Zandro, Marcos also met with Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra at the Bishop's House during his visit to the city.

Navarra said that the meeting was "very cordial and [we exchanged] pleasantries," adding that they did not talk politics.

"We wish him all the best. I told him to keep cool and treat everybody as his friend. Maintain his desire to serve the people if ever he gets elected," Navarra said.

Meanwhile, about 50 members of activist groups Karapatan and Bayan held a picket at the Central Market, where Marcos met with vendors Tuesday morning. They also held a rally at Casa Orola at Rizal Street, where the senator met with members of BBM Volunteers in the afternoon.

Clarizza Dagatan, secretary-general of Karapatan-Negros, said that they were urging people not to give Marcos a chance to return to office.

"He has no remorse with the human rights abuses committed by his family during the Martial Law," she said.

Remembering Escalante

During the reign of Marcos' father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Negros was a province keen on ending the dictatorship when the sugar crisis erupted in the late 1970s. Sugar is the primary commodity of the Negros islands.

One of the biggest rallies in the locality led to a gruesome incident dubbed as the Escalante Massacre. Several protesters were gunned down by government forces who were later charged with various counts of murder and frustrated murder.

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