THIRD term reelectionist Cagayan de Oro City second district councilor Joyleen Mercedes “Girlie” Balaba is campaigning for the nine senatorial candidates in this city where PDP-Laban’s founder originated.
Known then simply as PDP or Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino, the political party was founded 43 years ago in Cebu City as opposition to then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. by a Kagay-anon, the sitting mayor of Cagayan de Oro at the time – Aquilino Pimentel Jr.
Now known as PDP-Laban, the party is finding itself again as an opposition group, this time pitting against the senatorial candidates of Marcos’ son and namesake President Marcos Jr. in the midterm elections this May.
“We only have very few politicians who are members of our party because we are now the minority party. But our hearts are filled with joy because it’s the millions of people, the voters themselves, who encourage us to push on,” Balaba said in an interview after the City Council session Monday, February 17.
The stark number of PDP-Laban members show in once upon a time the party’s bailiwick Cagayan de Oro City.
Of the 19 incumbent councilors, only Balaba and fellow Councilor Yam Lam Lim are PDP-Laban members.
But this has not discouraged Balaba.
Rather, the fiery councilor is informing all patriotic citizens who are disgusted with the Marcos administration to support the PDP-Laban local caravan this Saturday, February 22.
It will start at 3:00 p.m. at Rodelsa Circle and will go around the city.
The supporters will be campaigning for reelectionist Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Ronald dela Rosa, SAGIP Rep. Dante Marcoleta, pastor Apollo Quiboloy, former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, actor Philip Salvador, singer and lawyer Jimmy Bondoc, former presidential adviser Raul Lambino and PDP-Laban deputy secretary-general Jayvee Hinlo.
“We can’t afford to bankroll everything. But it’s the people themselves who toss us up,” Balaba said.
