BRO. EDDIE REVEALS 'INDECENT PROPOSALS'
BOCAUE, BULACAN, February 18, 2004 (STAR) By James Mananghaya — Presidential candidate and television evangelist Eduardo Villanueva told his townmates in his hometown rally here yesterday that he had received "indecent proposals from individuals who would like to contribute to his campaign funds."Villanueva, standard-bearer of Bangon Pilipinas Movement (BMP) party, broke into tears as he spoke to his townmates to rally their support for his presidential bid.
He said his only allies in the presidential campaign are the good forces so he does not have to deal with supporters who would eventually ask favors when he gets to sit at Malacañang.
Although he admitted he needs funding for his campaign, he said he is confident of putting up a good fight against the "strong machinery" of his rivals.
BMP has been soliciting at least P2 contribution from supporters to sustain his campaign.
"Ang kredibilidad at prinsipyo lamang po ang tanging naipamana sa akin ng aking mga magulang. At iyan po ay alam ninyong mga mahal kong kababayan dito sa Bocaue (Credibility and principles are the only things I inherited from my parents. And all of you who are my townmates here in Bocaue know that)," he told around 500 supporters who gathered at the town plaza to welcome him.
They wore yellow t-shirts emblazoned with two of his battle cries — "Bulakeño, tayo naman ang magluklok ng pangulo (Bulacan residents, it’s time we install a president)" and "Maniwala ka, magbabangon ang Pilipinas (Believe that the Philippines will rise again)."
Villanueva, head evangelist of the Jesus is Lord Movement, said his supporters come from various sectors of the country — students and youth, women, urban and rural poor, and government employees — that have long been demanding change in the government.
"As the campaign progresses, you will see their number swell very rapidly," he noted.
In an interview, Villanueva, however, said that he would not feel bad if his townmates would support other presidential candidates. "I understand if that happens. "Kung halimbawang ipagpalit nila sa pera o pabor ang kanilang boto, ito ay dahil na rin sa kanilang kahirapan, ngunit tayo naman ay nag-aalok pa rin ng isang makabuluhang plataporma na ating ipatutupad (If ever they give away their votes in exchange for money or favors, this is only because of poverty but we are still offering a sensible platform of government)," Villanueva said.
Villanueva has taken to the hustings abroad to present his platform of government. After a successful rally with thousands of overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong on Sunday, he is set to meet with various religious leaders from 60 countries today in Singapore.
He said he would discuss with delegates at the Asia-Oceania Prayer Convocation his vision for the Philippines and ask for their prayers.
The convention is set to gather support and prayers for three leaders of religious groups in the Asia-Pacific region who are running for public office in their respective countries.
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Singapore have been invited to the prayer rally.
BMP media bureau officers told The STAR that Villanueva’s expenses for his trip abroad were sponsored by organizers of the events.
Meanwhile, in his presentation of his platform of governance to the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), Villanueva said he will propose modernization of equipment and weaponry of military and police, which he thinks could be achieved through active lobbying with supplier countries like the United States and Japan for better payment terms and prices. — With Edu Punay
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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