After getting the support of the Revilla clan in the province of Cavite, independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe is expected to also get the support of 35 lawmakers from the Visayas region headed by a former Liberal Party (LP) chairman in Negros Occidental — Rep Alfredo “Albee” Bantug Benitez.
According to the Benitez camp, the lawmakers who will be pledging their support to Poe do not include those from the so-called Visayan bloc Benitez is leading at the House of Representatives.
The lawmakers will make their formal declaration of support to Poe during the campaign rally of the Partido Galing at Puso at Bacolod City Plaza today.
More than 20 party-list representatives and lawmakers from Ilocos region and other provinces are expected to be present at the event.
Thousands of supporters are also expected to attend the rally to listen to the message of Poe, her running mate Senator Francis Escudero and the senatorial candidates of PGP.
Benitez, a former member of LP, left the party last year after having a misunderstanding with administration party presidential bet Manuel Roxas who, according to the local leaders of the province, reportedly supported candidates who are not members of LP.
The decision of Benitez to leave the party is a big loss to LP because he is known to have a strong influence among lawmakers particularly those from the Visayas region. Ako Bicol Partylist representative Rodel Batocabe is also expected to join the rally.
Poe, who has been leading the pre-election presidential surveys, on Thursday got the support of Revilla, one of Cavite’s most powerful clans.
Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, his mother, Bacoor Rep. Lani Mercado Revilla, and Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla, brother of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, threw their support behind the Poe-Escudero tandem when they visited the province.