Politicians 'rule' Kalibo Ati-atihan fest
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Politicians took advantage of the annual Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival out to win the people's votes.

Senator Manny Villar, dressed in orange shirt, and his senatorial candidates - Susan Ople, lawyer Gwen Pimentel, lawyer Adel Tamano, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Nacionalista spokesman and former Rep. Gilbert Remulla of Cavite joined tens of thousands of devotees and revelers in the traditional pilgrim mass yesterday at the Kalibo Pastrana Park.

Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo and his sister Balete mayor Noemi Calizo-Cordero also witnessed the festival with Villar and his senatorial aspirants.

Another vice presidential aspirant and Senator Mar Roxas of Liberal Party was welcomed by political leaders led by Tibyog Akean and former Congressman Allen Salas-Quimpo and former Aklan vice governor Ronquillo Tolentino on Sunday morning.

The senator, who was wearing his traditional blue polo shirt, shook hands and was asked to pose for photographs with his supporters in the street dancing. Roxas, who hails from Capiz, was joined by Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan member and mayoral bet Mark Quimpo and his councilor-candidates Ronald Marte and Edgar Aranas.

Villar and Roxas, both showed up on Sunday for the yearly Ati-Atihan festival in the capital town of Kalibo with their local supporters, are two of the leading presidential and vice presidential aspirants in the coming May 10, 2010 elections.

There were also streamers and posters of presidential bets Lakas Kampi Gilbert 'Gibo' Teodoro, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Senator Richard Gordon greeting the revelers, but, they failed to show up in the festivities.

Other personalities seen yesterday were Bacolod city mayor Bing Leonardia, Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta, League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) and senatorial bet Dr. Ramon Guico, Interior and Local Government regional director Evelyn Trompeta, senatorial candidate lawyer Raul Lambino, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, Kalibo mayor Raymar Rebaldo, Ibajay mayor Maria Lourdes Miraflores and Banga mayor Antonio Maming.

Last Friday, Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) senatorial bet and Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo 'Ompong' Plaza also held a press conference with the local media.

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