By Francis Allan L. Angelo and Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Team Sulong Gugma drew over 80,000 Ilonggos to its miting de avance on May 10, with three key elements defining the night: national endorsements, a flagship health project, and the symbolic return of former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.
Senator JV Ejercito and senatorial frontrunner Rep. Erwin Tulfo joined the rally at the Gaisano Capital Grounds in Mandurriao to personally endorse Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda, vice mayoral bet Love-Love Baronda, and their full slate of councilor candidates.
“Sana suportahan ta ang aton Team Sulong Gugma, syempre sa pangunguna ni Congresswoman Jam-Jam Baronda,” Ejercito told the crowd.
“Alam niyo hindi po ako kandidato ngayon, kaya lang aka nagkadto ako diri sa Iloilo para magpakita sang suporta sympre kay Congresswoman Jam-Jam Baronda na isang napakagaling na congresswoman,” he added.
“Wag po din nating kalimutan ang aking parang kapatid Love-Love Baronda for Vice Mayor,” he said.
Ejercito recalled their joint efforts in improving the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), where Baronda played a key role in securing a PHP 400-million budget for the Heart, Lung and Kidney Center.
“Hindi ako tumatakbo sa eleksyon na ‘to pero nandito ako para magpakita sang suporta sa Team Sulong Gugma, sa dahilan kami po hindi lang sa politika ni Congresswoman Jam-Jam. Kami po may napakita na proweba – ang WVMC,” he emphasized.
“Buligan ta ang dati kong staff na napakahusay na congresswoman. Buligan ta si Congresswoman Jam-Jam Baronda. Syempre ang aking sister na si Love-Love Baronda wag natin kalimutan naging vice mayor natin. Suportahan din po natin ang buong konseho ng Team Sulong Gugma para mag tuloy-tuloy ang progreso sang Iloilo City,” Ejercito stressed.
Rep. Erwin Tulfo also made a direct pitch for continuity and stability, urging Ilonggos to retain the current leadership.
“Pag walang deperensya wag na po palitan, kaya po Jam-Jam Baronda pa rin tayo sa Mayo 12!” Tulfo said.
“Isama na po natin ang napakamaganda Love-Love Baronda bilang vice mayor, and of course kailangan po ng suporta ni vice. Kailangan po ng lahat po ng konsehales. Lahat po ng Sulong Gugma isama po natin sa balota,” he continued.
“Wag din po nating kalimutan ang dating mayor, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. Alam niyo po I have never been to a place so warm ang reception. I love you, Iloilo!” Tulfo added.
Congresswoman Baronda and vice mayoral candidate Love-Love Baronda appeared onstage alongside former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, as the Sulong Gugma team called on Ilonggos to vote straight for their entire slate.
Also introduced during the rally were the Sulong Gugma councilor candidates: Doc Von Deveza, Atty. Kesha Pesina Tupas, Pastor Stanley “Big Bro” Flores, Peter Oñate, GM Ariete Ramos, Jun Capulot, Mor Espinosa, Atty. Boots Gerochi, Sheen Mabilog, and Bryant Zulueta.
Representatives from allied party-lists Tictok, BHW, Pinuno, Makabayan, and CIBAC delivered brief solidarity messages.
The program ended in a celebratory tone despite being cut short by a heavy downpour, which instead energized the crowd, many of whom danced in the rain with the Sulong Gugma candidates.
