Mandaluyong elders troop to Comelec to support Abalos Senate bid
Commission on Elections. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Notwithstanding the gloomy weather, the elderly supporters of Benhur Abalos waited outside the Manila Hotel to express support for the senatorial aspirant.
Abalos, who is included in the administration’s official Senate slate, filed his certificate of candidacy for senator before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday morning.
As early as 8 a.m., amid the rains, Abalos’ supporters waited outside the venue, chanting the interior and local government secretary’s surname.
Among the supporters were elders Zennie Bibiano, Teresita Ramos and Dolly Mapaye.
INQUIRER.net interviewed sixty-six-year-old Zennie Bibiano, who was wearing a blue shirt bearing a print of Abalos’ face.
Article continues after this advertisement“[Because] we love him,” she simply said when asked why she was standing outside the Manila Hotel despite the gloomy weather.
Article continues after this advertisement“We know he gets the job done. Not just pure talk,” Bibiano said in Filipino.
Zennie Bibiano, an elderly supporter of senatorial aspirant Benhur Abalos at the Manila Hotel Tent City (Photo from CHARIE ABARCA / INQUIRER.net)
In the same interview, she was asked what Abalos has done to qualify for such a high post in the government.
She answered: “Many things. From the time he became a mayor, Mandaluyong became number one.”
Teresita Ramos, 73, meanwhile, said her entire family were Abalos loyalists.
Teresita Ramos, elderly supporter of senatorial aspirant Benhur Abalos at the Manila Hotel Tent City (Photo from CHARIE ABARCA / INQUIRER.net)
Ramos is certain Abalos can secure a Senate seat in the upcoming midterm polls.
“He has mass-based loyalists. He is really allied with Marcos [and] all programs are being supported,” she said.
“He’s quiet, but he has many accomplishments – from being mayor [to] [being] secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. His performance is good. He’s just not talkative. He is really good and humble,” she added.
Seventy-two year old Dolly Mapaye, on the other hand, was asked what’s so special about Abalos, which makes him deserving of all the support he’s getting from his fans, especially the elderly.
Dolly Magpaye, elderly supporter of senatorial aspirant Benhur Abalos, at Manila Hotel Tent City (Photo by CHARIE ABARCA / INQUIRER.net)
“The family of Abalos is so thoughtful. He’s kind and he really loves Mandaluyong residents. He’s running for senator so that he can make the entire Philippines feel his love for the people, especially the poor,” she said.
It was like a movie scene when Abalos arrived at Manila Hotel past 8 a.m. on Monday.
He was welcomed by a marching band as well as his supporters, who chanted “Abalos, Abalos!” as he made his way to the COC filing area.
