PANGASINAN, Philippines – The tandem of presidential candidate Grace Poe and running mate Francis "Chiz" Escudero returns to Pangasinan, where they face the challenge of the so-called "solid North" electorate which supports Poe, but goes for Escudero's rival, Ilocano Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Camille Elemia tells us more.
CAMILLE ELEMIA, REPORTING: It's complicated. That best describes the allies that welcome presidential bet Grace Poe and running mate Francis Escudero to the vote-rich province of Pangasinan.
It's Poe's 6th visit to Fernando Poe Jr’s hometown and 1st since the Supreme Court declared her eligible to run for president.
While more local officials are now joining their rallies, some say they are only supporting Poe.
It is always a warm welcome for Poe each time she visits the province she calls her own.
As in past sorties, she makes sure to remind the people of her father, the late action hero FPJ, who was born in San Carlos City.
In Pangasinan, Poe relies on municipal and city officials to deliver the voters for her. But the same can't be said of Escudero.
While Asingan mayor Heidi Chua welcomes the tandem to the town, she admits she is rooting for Poe and another vice presidential bet – Ilocano Senator Bongbong Marcos, Escudero’s closest rival.
HEIDI CHUA, ASINGAN MAYOR: Dito sa Asingan…pero I think kahit na 'di namin natin matuturuan 'yung mga tao, kung ano man 'yung gusto nila, 'yun pa rin 'yung mangyayari, kasi 'yung prinsipyo ng solid North. Well it’s about the Ilocano people having the unity to work together as one.
CAMILLE ELEMIA, REPORTING: Former senator Leticia Ramos Shahani says bloc voting in the north is a myth.
LETICIA SHAHANI, FORMER SENATOR: There is no solid north vote. I beg your pardon. I’m an Ilocano and Marcos was my 2nd cousin but it does not mean we will automatically vote for Marcos. We have other priorities and I think our experience under martial law was not good
CAMILLE ELEMIA, REPORTING: Despite some politicians only endorsing half of the tandem, both Poe and Escudero say there is no friction between them.
CHIZ ESCUDERO, VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Walang friction walang problema gaya ng sinabi ko bahagi iyan ng intriga sa pulitika. Sana makita 'nyo kung paano kami ni Senator Grace magkasama – masaya at magaan ang kampanya namin.
GRACE POE, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Hindi naman. Eh nandito naman kami ni Senator Chiz sa Pangasinan. Ito ang lugar ni FPJ at gusto ko rin naman dalhin din dito palagi si Senator Chiz para ipakilala siya sa ating mga kababayan. Natural lamang 'yon, sa lawak ng Pilipinas, na minsan hindi kayo magkasama ng tandem ninyo.
CAMILLE ELEMIA, REPORTING: In the small town of San Manuel, Poe, who is running on a platform of good governance, was endorsed by the father-son tandem of Salvador and Jericho Perez.
The family, who has been at the helm of San Manuel for at least 5 decades now, are involved in corruption issues.
Camille Elemia, Rappler, Pangasinan. – Rappler.com