Maharlikan Times

'Gibo' reaffirms ideals of 1898 Philippine Revolution

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BACOOR, Cavite, Feb. 7  -- Lakas-Kampi-CMD (Christian, Muslim, Democrats) presidential candidate Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. has reaffirmed the ideals of the Philippine Revolution in this province that nurtured it to national independence in June 1898.

    Teodoro, who toured Cavite Friday, was endorsed at a huge rally in Bacoor by reelectionist Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., who hailed the former Defense chief as the "new breed of revolutionary hero" whose intelligence and competence are the qualities that made him the youths’ runaway choice for president in the May 10 elections and the country’s "best chance" to regain its lost glory and bring Filipinos to prosperity.

     "Let us not hesitate in choosing Secretary Teodoro for president. He is the candidate who has the intelligence and adequate skills to lead this country," said Revilla, amid chants of "Gibo! Gibo!"

     Revilla said rebuilding the nation is not unlike creating Asia’s first republic two years after the Philippine Revolution was launched in August 1896 to end Spain’s three centuries of oppressive colonial rule.

    The rally in Molino, Bacoor, Cavite -- birthplace of the Filipino nation -- gathered a crowd of 3,000 composed of Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwarts, barangay officials and members of people's organizations (POs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

    In addressing the crowd, Teodoro cited Cavite’s unique role in the struggle for independence and urged Filipinos to look into the revolutionary heroes’ legacy to inspire a united national effort towards making the Philippines competitive in the region and the world.

    "My campaign is about progress… It is not about assuring a mere hand-to-mouth existence," he said.

Among other things, Teodoro’s campaign platform seeks to strengthen political stability to inspire rising investor confidence in the country.

     He asked Filipinos to "look into the aspirations of our forefathers in rising up against the conquerors."

    "They did not fight for us in order that we should fight among ourselves," he said, adverting to the political divisions that have promoted disunity in the country that he wants to heal.

Teodoro also paid tribute to the Cavitenos' legendary bravery in helping secure independence and build the nation’s political and social institutions.

    He especially cited his mentor in flying commercial planes, a third-generation Caviteno named Col. Bedong Gorospe, who hails from Talaba.

    During the forum, Mayor Manny de Castro recalled that former generals in Sangley Point, a naval base in the province, had spoken glowingly of Teodoro's qualifications to become the next chief executive.

     "The generals are convinced that Gibo is the best among the presidential candidates. This is quite obvious by now, since he (Teodoro) has become the feared and fearless contender in debates among presidential aspirants," said De Castro.

    Earlier in the day, Teodoro’s popularity among the youth was demonstrated anew as a crowd of 4,000 students gave him a rousing welcome at the presidential forum "Pagbabago, Diretsahang Usapan" held at the Dasmarinas campus of the De La Salle University.

    Teodoro also made a barnstorming tour of Cavite with his wife, Tarlac Rep. Monica Louise "Nikki" Prieto-Teodoro; Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga and wife, Dasmarinas Mayor Jenny Barzaga; Mayor Strike Revilla and senatorial candidate Raul Lambino.

  Senator Revilla, with wife Lani Mercado, joined Teodoro’s entourage together with Lakas-Kampi-CMD congressional and mayoralty candidates in the province.