One of the least known presidential candidates started his campaign in Olongapo City doing one thing that he might need to do a lot in his bid for the presidency—pray.
There was no hype nor hoopla when Councilor John Carlos “JC” de los Reyes, standard-bearer of the Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP), opened his campaign with a Mass at St. Joseph’s School in Olongapo.
After praying, he walked with a small group of party mates, supporters and some of his senatorial candidates to a market nearby where he shook hands, waved to people and introduced himself as a presidential candidate.
De los Reyes, a member of the Gordon political clan and the only Kapatiran candidate who won in the 2007 elections as a councilor in Olongapo, is running against his uncle, Sen. Richard Gordon, and eight other candidates.
Accompanying De los Reyes at the start of his campaign was his Brazilian wife, Dunia Valenzuela, who believes her husband could win because he has “a pure heart” and “true compassion.”
“After he’s been talking to people, he brings their problems home to us, his family, and shows us what it’s like for them so we can understand. He wants to change things for the better,” she said.
“People say that he’s young. I know him more than anyone. He is full of passion and he is very determined. And who but God knows about what is right or wrong for this country?” she added.
Donated property
The group also visited Jubilee Village, a low-cost housing community in Olongapo that rose from property donated by De los Reyes’ family to house more than 40 poor families.
A woman living there told Inquirer the villagers would vote for De los Reyes.
“But even if we are not living here, we will still vote for him. If people knew him, they would, too,” she said.
De los Reyes moved around the city with a convoy of only a few vehicles. In some areas, like the villages of Barrio Barreto and New Cabalan, he went out of his vehicle unattended by bodyguards. He has none.
Among Kapatiran’s senatorial candidates who accompanied him were retired Air Force Col. Hector Tarrazona and former Aparri, Cagayan, Councilor Reginald Tamayo.
“People are surprised that we don’t have security detail even when going to squatter areas. But [all candidates] must not be afraid of the people. They are the ones we are going to serve,” said Tarrazona, one of the 11 original members of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement in 1986.
“Nothing has changed in this country. There is no hope. We must be able to change this. What I’m praying for is that we become a nation of true Christians because that [will eliminate all the vile things that we are seeing now],” he said.
Tamayo said he was running for senator under AKP because of De los Reyes’ idealism.
“He can mix his faith with his political life. And what he says [in the political arena] is anchored on his Christianity—that is uncommon among politicians,” he said.
De los Reyes’ running mate, lawyer Dominador Chipeco, was unable to join the start of the campaign in Olongapo as he was meeting with family members in Calamba, Laguna. Chipeco is expected to join the campaign when it reaches Metro Manila.
Off to a good start
A top official of AKP said the campaign was off to a good start.
“We had a busy day and we hope the warm welcome shown to JC will be repeated in the next days to come,” said Eric Manalang, AKP president and chair, in a phone interview from Olongapo.
Many people, Manalang said, wished De los Reyes “good luck” instead of telling him “I’ll pray for you.”
De los Reyes, a theology graduate, said he felt bad about being told “I’ll pray for you” because he took it to mean that people think he’ll lose.
“I feel bad because it’s as if our party’s causes are unattainable and hopeless and all they can do is pray for me,” he said.
Creative campaign materials
Manalang said AKP’s youth chapter prepared creative campaign materials for De los Reyes’ sorties. These include masks mounted on staffs that call on people to reject evil ways like political dynasties, patronage politics, corruption, pork barrel and gambling.
Manalang said De los Reyes’ group went on a house-to-house campaign in Olongapo City, distributing leaflets and pins.
In the afternoon, the group proceeded to the Subic Bay Freeport commercial area to meet with workers.
De los Reyes’ party has scheduled a proclamation rally on Feb. 16 in Payatas, Quezon City.
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