Villar, Loren welcomed in rival’s bailiwick

ROXAS CITY–THE WOMEN WERE SIGHTED REACHING OUT TO HIM, ASKING FOR A KISS OR A HUG. SOME WERE CHANTING “MANNY! MANNY!” WHILE OTHERS SANG TO THE FAMILIAR TUNE OF HIS CAMPAIGN JINGLE.
This was the sight that greeted Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr., though he was no celebrity, when he arrived in this city together with his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda and the whole senatorial slate of the Nacionalista Party.
The province of Capiz is known to be the bailiwick of Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Roxas II, it being his hometown.
Villar’s team expected a lukewarm approach, but was overwhelmed by the show of support Capiz folks exhibited when the NP motorcade passed through the main roads and at the Roxas City public market.
Villar’s partymates were also elated by the warm welcome. Senatorial bet lawyer Adel Tamano continued to be the crowd drawer followed by Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
Villar’s presence in the capitol also elicited peals of laughter from the crowd which tried to mob him.
The party first paid a courtesy call to Mayor Vicente Bermejo at the Roxas City Hall. Bermejo is a reelectionist candidate for city mayor under the Liberal Party. Bermejo served as mayor of the municipality of Panay, Capiz for three consecutive terms and as provincial governor of Capiz also for three consecutive terms all under the Liberal Party banner.
When asked if they are confident of winning in Capiz, Villar and Legarda replied in the affirmative.