PAMPANGA, Philippines – Arroyo country? More like Aquino country.

This is the belief of the administration slate Team PNoy as it visited Pampanga, formerly considered as the bailiwick of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Arroyo is currently the 2nd district representative of the province.

Campaign manger Franklin Drilon disagrees it is Arroyo territory, saying Pampanga overwhelmingly supports President Benigno Aquino III and his administration. “We are confident that kapampangans will support the team of the President. It has always been considered a bailiwick of President Aquino,” he told reporters in a press conference in Mexico town on Friday, March 1.

“Pampanga has always been supportive of President Cory Aquino. We do not see a reason why the affection for the Aquinos will cease.”

Drilon has a point. In 2010, Aquino won in Pampanga, garnering 327,666 votes, roughly 36.4% of the total number of votes from the province. Arroyo had endorsed Gilberto Teodoro, but he only had 280,462 votes.

Even former president Joseph Estrada, a stalwart of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance or UNA, stood no chance in Pampanga, mustering a measly 43,298 votes.

Pampanga has 1.2-M registered voters for 2013.

‘We feel the support’

Team PNoy was received warmly in Candaba, its first stop in a 4-district tour of the province.

Known Arroyo critic and administration candidate Risa Hontiveros said she felt the support of Pampanga residents, who voted her 12th in 2010, and said she hoped to get the same if not more support from the province come May.

Senatorial bet Grace Poe, daughter of former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr who was allegedly cheated of the presidency by Arroyo, described campaigning in Arroyo’s home province as “fun.”

She said her father has relatives and supporters in Pampanga, and said she feels the support thought the reception of locals towards her.

Liberal Party gubernatorial bet Eddie Panlilio expressed confidence in Team PNoy’s chances. “National candidates are strong here in Pampanga. We are just concerned about the local candidates,” he said.

Panlilio is running for governor against Arroyo ally and incumbent Gov Baby Pineda of local coalition Kambilan. – Rappler.com