Davids-Goliath Race
The two opponents of first district Congressman Prospero Nograles likened themselves as David fighting a Goliath.
Anacleto Melendrez and Edgar Mabilog both come from different backgrounds — Melendrez a doctor and health advocate, and Mabilog a self-professed preacher. Both consider themselves the underdog.
Melendrez said that he is offering himself as an alternative to the traditional politics. As a doctor who once worked in the United States, his politics will be about good governance and promoting people’s health.
If elected, Melendrez said he would push for the regulation of the high cost of medicines and ensure short term education for youths to be able to respond to the demand of call centers and medical transcriptions.
Melendrez said he would not spend money on posters. These will eventually become waste, he said. His campaign strategy will instead focus on free clinics in the 53 barangays of the first district.
The doctor said he would get support through his group, Beautiful Heart Foundation, and through the support of civic groups like the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Men’s Association and various health associations here and in the Untied States.
Meanwhile, Mabilog, a preacher of the Seventh-Day Adventist, claimed divine providence as his motivation to run against Nograles. It is now time for me to serve, he said.
He cites maximum tolerable transparency and super honesty as his platform. He will be reaching out to the voters by preaching, which he does regularly at the Osmea Park at 12 in the afternoon.
Baka ibigay ng Panginoon, said Mabilog when asked about his chances of winning.
Both Melendrez and Mabilog are confident of their victories, undaunted by the formidable machinery of Nograles, who is a stalwart of the Lakas party.
The voters are mature now, they are dissatisfied with the present politics, Melendrez said. This time the David will win in this battle. (Tyrone A. Velez/davaotoday.com, with reports from Cheryll D. Fiel)
2007 Elections
