Organizers: TU rally in city to gather 20T crowd
Treñas
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to arrive in Iloilo City to grace the rally of the Team Unity's senatorial candidates and miting de avance of the administration's local candidates on Thursday. Famous talk show host will also add color to the event.
The President's arrival was confirmed by Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr., vice chair of the Lakas-CMD for Visayas and Iloilo City Lakas-chair Mayor Jerry Treñas.
In earlier interview, Treñas said talk show host Boy Abunda will also be around for the rally. Both, Treñas and Abunda were classmates before in Ateneo law school.
Abunda's presence, other than candidate action star Cesar Montano, is expected to gather more crowd. The local organizers expect a crowd of more or less 20,000 to gather at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand Thursday night.
Gonzalez Jr.
Team Unity's grand rally is expected to be far different from the supposed grand rally of the Genuine Opposition at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol grounds which was canceled because of an alleged security threat. However, the so-called threat was never proven making political observers think that the rally was called off after the organizers failed to gather a sizable crowd.
Thursday's TU rally will likewise be a show of force of the group of Gonzalez, Treñas and other local candidates, as they will bring all their respective supporters. Local entertainers are also expected to entertain the crowd.
Iloilo City has been tagged as the administration's bailiwick after Ilonggos contributed millions of votes to President Arroyo in the 2004 presidential elections. The Gonzalez-Treñas tandem delivered millions of votes and placed Iloilo City in the President's heart.
It was learned that each candidate is given three minutes to speak before the crowd. They are prohibited from singing and dancing while on the stage.
Other than the local candidates, from congressman, mayor, vice mayor and councilors, the 12 senatorial candidates will also be given the chance to lay before the Ilonggos their platforms of government. The TU wants a 12-0 win here in the city.