SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo lent her star power to President Rodrigo Duterte’s senatorial candidates during their campaign launch in her home province of Pampanga.

The former president appeared onstage with Duterte’s daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and members of her Senate slate on Tuesday, February 12, at the Pampanga Provincial Capitol in San Fernando City.

“Ang importante maalala ng tao ng Pampanga ang tatay ni Sara Duterte,” said Arroyo to loud cheers.

(The most important thing is that the people of Pampanga remember the father of Sara Duterte.)

“Kasi noong nakaraang halalan, pinakamalaking landslide na nakuha ni Mayor [Rodrigo] Duterte sa labas ng kanyang balwarte, walang iba kundi probinsiya ng Pampanga!” she continued.

(Because in the last elections, the biggest landslide victory Mayor Duterte got outside of his bailiwick was in none other than the province of Pampanga!)

The House Speaker then introduced the senatorial candidates of Hugpong ng Pagbabago who were already onstage.

She introduced plunder defendant and former senator Jinggoy Estrada as “anak ng minahal ‘nyong si Erap Estrada” (son of your beloved Erap Estrada), referring to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, who Arroyo replaced when he was ousted in 2001.

She called Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr, another ex-senator accused of pocketing millions of pesos in pork barrel, “ang ating idol” (our idol).

Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino was called the person “always being mentioned by President Duterte.”

Arroyo also called Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano, a former senator, “napakagaling na senador” (a very good senator).

Sara, in her speech, thanked Arroyo for her presence and support.

The two women have proven instrumental in each other’s politics. Sara had played a big role in securing the speakership for Arroyo. Even her father credits her for ousting former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, the President’s own ally, back in July 2018. (READ: The women behind the fall of Alvarez) – Rappler.com