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Gibo, Recto exchange praises in Bukidnon festival
By ANDREO CALONZO, GMA News
MALAYBALAY CITY, BukidnonâIt seems like the Kaamulan Festival, which means âto gather" in the local language here, has brought together two politicians of two different colors: one in green, another in yellow. Administration party presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Liberal Party (LP) senatorial bet Ralph Recto on Wednesday crossed party lines and traded praises in a local festival that marked the provinceâs 93rd founding anniversary. Teodoro, Lakas-Kampi-CMDâs standard-bearer, lauded Recto for his implementation of tax measures during the LP senatorial aspirantâs term as director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). âDapat pasalamatan natin siya dahil nanindigan siya bagamat mahirap. Gumawa siya ng mga batas na kung di dahil sa mga batas na iyan, naapektuhan tayo ng global economic crisis tulad ng ibang bansa," Teodoro said of Recto in his keynote speech during the event. Recto, meanwhile, praised Teodoroâs work as secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND), and even called him âa jewel in the Cabinet." Kababata ko ito at nakatrabaho ko sa gabinete ni Presidente Arroyo. He was a true jewel in the Cabinet," he said. Although Recto praised Teodoro, the LP senatorial bet also made reference to his partyâs standard-bearer, Sen. Benigno Simeon âNoynoy" Aquino III, in the same speech. âAkoây naniniwala na ang unang dapat gawin ng pangulo ay labanan ang korapsyon, dahil kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap," he said, in reference to Aquinoâs campaign slogan. Both Teodoro and Recto were members of the House of Representatives from 1998 to 2001. They also served in President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyoâs Cabinet from 2008 to 2009. Bukidnon govâs close friends Teodoro and Recto were the only politicians seeking elective posts in the upcoming May polls invited by Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr. in Wednesdayâs festivities, according to the local executiveâs spokesperson. Cesar Apao, Zubiriâs spokesperson, said Recto was invited because he is the governorâs âclose friend," while Teodoro is a party mate and a long-time family friend. Asked if Zubiri is backing Teodoroâs presidential bid in the May polls, Apao answered, âYouâve read it right. The fact that Secretary Teodoro was invited as the guest speaker in Bukidnonâs 93rd founding anniversary, that already says a lot." Zubiri was seen raising Teodoroâs hands in front of the crowd during the festivalâs closing program. Teodoro, for his part, openly gave a âreturn token" to Zubiri after he was handed a token of appreciation during the program. Apao said, however, that although most of Bukidnonâs local executives are members of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, he cannot tell whether they are solid in supporting Teodoroâs candidacy. âI cannot speak for them. I cannot determine how their loyalties will go come election time," he said. Bukidnon is the fifth most vote-rich province in Mindanao, with 727,750 registered voters based on latest Comelec records. President Arroyo won in the province by a slim margin over closest rival, actor Fernando Poe Jr., during the 2004 presidential elections. Villar âmore popularâ Although Teodoro enjoys the support of Bukidnonâs leadership, members of the provinceâs local media believe that Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Manuel Villar Jr. is the âmore popular" province in their area. âSa totoo, mas kilala si Villar dito dahil na rin siguro sa kanyang TV advertisements," said Evie Tipon of the local newspaper Gold Star Daily. Fe Diaz-Oliva of the Central Mindanao Newswatch, a weekly publication in the area, said Villarâs early entry in the presidential race might have given the NP standard-bearer the advantage when it comes to popularity in the province. âMalayo pa ang election, naset-up na niya ang kanyang programa at lahat ng gusto niyang gawin. For me, nakatulong talaga âyun," she told GMANews.TV in a separate interview.âJV, GMANews.TV
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