Supporters of Senate bets seen distributing giveaways during PMA event
Credit to Author: jvicente| Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2019 08:49:07 +0000
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Supporters of former police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and reelectionist Senator JV Ejercito were seen giving away items bearing their names during the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming on Saturday, despite requests of officials not to politicize the event or make it into a campaign sortie.
In the case of Dela Rosa, his staff gave people near the Borromeo Field of Fort Del Pilar baller IDs with his campaign slogan “Itaga mo sa BATO” printed on it. Ejercito’s staff, meanwhile, handed out cellphone holders with “JV” printed on the middle, above the underlay “Para sa Bayan,” although this was given out of requests of some members of the media.
In a message, Ejercito clarified that he is aware of the PMA’s request not to campaign during the program, saying that the cellphone holders were only given to his friends who requested to have one.
“I doubt it, bawal mag-campaign sa PMA. In fact pati car ko tinaggal stickers. No instructions to campaign inside, if ever, baka humingi mga reporters sa staff,” he said in a message to INQUIRER.net.
INQUIRER.net tried to contact Dela Rosa but he has not yet to respond to the queries.
READ: Senatorial bets attend ‘apolitical’ PMA alumni homecoming
Dela Rosa is a graduate of PMA Sinagtala Class 1986 while Ejercito is an honorary member of the PMA batch 1988.
However, both assured earlier that their attendance to the PMA reunion was not in anyway intended to gain political mileage for the 2019 elections. According to the country’s former top cop, he was just attending the event just like any other PMA graduate and cavalier.
“Lahat ba ng kilos ko ay may kulay ng pulitika? Wala naman siguro,” Dela Rosa claimed.
“Purposely ang pagpunta ko dito ay isang normal tradition sa aming mga PMAers na talagang mag-attend ng homecoming dahil nga we have to renew our values,” he explained.
Ejercito also echoed the same sentiments, saying that he is just supporting the officials from the batch that adopted him.
“I’ve been a fraternal brother for the past 20 years, 1998 pa ako na-adopt ng class ’88. Now that they are already generals and about to retire siguro in a few year’s time, at least makasama ko naman sila and show support to these gallant men in uniform, the gallant men of Class ’88 of Maringal,” Ejercito said.
On Friday, PMA authorities reminded its alumni who are gunning elective posts to refrain from politicizing the event, to respect the sanctity of the Homecoming. Alumni were allowed to join the parade, but honorary members were ordered to stay in their seats while the classes march.
READ: Poll bets warned: Do not politicize PMA homecoming
Dela Rosa and Ejercito are part of the Senate slate being endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte and Hugong ng Pagbabago, the local party of Presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
According to a latest senatorial survey from Pulse Asia showed that if the elections were held in late January 2019, both will be out of the Magic 12 with Dela Rosa taking 11-16 spots (15 overall), followed by Ejercito at the 15 to 16 rankings. /jpv
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