JE C.C.
The former Presidential spokesperson and current senatoriable under the Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos-Sara Duterte slate, failed to make his fellow Bicolanos chant BBM’s name, in VP Leni Robredo’s home province.
Panelo was unable to meet his goal at a proclamation rally in his home province, Camarines Sur on April 11. Panelo was invited to deliver a speech on the stage. In his native tongue, Panelo said “Us Bicolanos, whoever is also a Bicolano…it is necessary that we also go for him”. He then invited the crowd of thousands to chant his presidentiable bet’s name.
In Bicol language, he instructed the crowd “When I say Bongbong, you say Marcos”. However, the audience started yelling “Leni, Leni, Leni…” to his dismay.
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He tried to redeem himself once again by asking, who their vice-presidential bet is. Panelo is a known Duterte loyalist, so he must have expected to hear Sar Duterte Carpio’s name. Like in his first attempt, however, it was also a failure, as the crowd collectively chanted VP Leni Robredo’s running mate, Francis Pangilinan.
“Kiko! Kiko! Kiko!” the crowd shouted.
Lray Villafuerte, the incumbent representative of the 2nd district of Camarines Sur who is also gunning g for a second term, had to politely ask him to leave the stage.
As of this writing, the Villafurtes has not officially endorsed any presidential or vice-presidential candidates yet. Going against Robredo is deemed by many to be an unwise move, let alone a detrimental choice, for the Villafuertes, as Robredo remains the top choice among voters in the province.
In an interview, Panelo clarified his statement during his appearance at the rally. “Napahiya man ako, I will never endorse Leni (Though I felt humiliated, I will never endorse Leni), he said, which may be a clarification on his previous statement where he said that the people of Camarines Sur should also vote a Bicolano. Camarines Sur is VP Leni Robredo’s home province.
In the 2016 national elections, Robredo won the battle for the vice-presidency in the province with more than 660,000 votes, while her closest rival, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong Marcos’ only got 41,000 votes.
