Otso Diretso: Whatever the results, we’ve already won

As of press time almost 90% of the total canvassed votes have been tallied by unofficial media watchdogs and all of them would show that it was 0-8 for the Liberal Party led Otso Diretso senatorial slate.

What we want to share to our readers is that 4 days prior to the ay 13 elections, the opposition bets made a statement: “Whatever the results, we’ve already won.”

Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said, the opposition’s strategy of campaigning at the grassroots level has fostered a relationship between the senatorial bets and the common folk.

Madalo Rep. Gary Alejano (left) takes a group shot on stage at the UP Diliman Sunken Garden last week Wednesday, May 8, 2019. With him (going right, front) are human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, (from left, back) Sen. Bam Aquino, former House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. (photo credit to PDI)

“Kahit anong mangyari, nanalo na tayo. Tayo ay nakapagtayo ng napakalaking pamilya, ang pamilya ng Otso Diretso. Simula ngayon hanggang Mayo 13, ang pangalan nating lahat ay Otso Diretso,” Hilbay said

These sentiments were echoed by reelectionist Sen. Bam Aquino, who noticed the difference the way people showed their support to the Otso Diretso bets. He calims  that If before most were hesitant to rally behind Otso Diretso, the people’s voices grew — literally and figuratively — as the campaign moved on.

“Alam niyo po, mga kaibigan, napakaraming lugar na po ang napuntahan po namin. Napakarami po ang naka-usap na po namin. Noong una, iikot po kami sa palengke. Pabulong: ‘Senator, Otso Diretso po kami,’” Aquino

Maintaining decency

Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc said despite the financial problems she encountered in the campaign she  was able to cope without being indebted to organizations.

“I can proudly tell you volunteers na hindi ako tumanggap ng donation sa casino or jueteng. I can tell you that. I am filing my statement of expenditures with a clean and honest conscience na wala akong ninakaw — at hindi ako magnanakaw kapag ako ay naluklok,” Gutoc emphasized.

“I have spent a little less than P10 million, and that will be on record,” she added. “Inutang ko ‘yon. Naghanap ako ng paraan. Hindi po ako may utang na loob kahit kanino man. I am a woman, and I do not want to sell my soul.” she adds.

As for , Tañada and Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejanothey note the importance of decency in the Senate, which could be attained if would be independent.

“Kailangan i-upo po natin ang Otso Diretso sa Senado dahil gusto po natin ang isang Senado na hindi takot, na hindi magnanakaw, na hindi bastos, na may takot sa Diyos, tama?” Tañada said.

Alejano added: “Ang rason kung bakit tayo ay tumatakbo: Dahil sa Pilipino, sa taumbayan. Ang laban natin, win or lose, nagsisimula ngayon dahil pagkatapos ng eleksyon, hindi pe-pwedeng umuwi tayo sa ating bahay at manahimik lamang. Singilin natin ang mga naluklok sa pwesto.” 

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Report from PDI