Bro. Eddie Confirms 'Unwritten Covenant' With Hagedorn

Bangon Pilipinas lone senatorial candidate Eddie Villanueva on Sunday confirmed an “unwritten covenant” between him and fellow independent senatorial candidate Edward Hagedorn.​

Villanueva, who visited Palawan over the weekend, said the alliance was discussed during a lunch meeting with Hagedorn in Puerto Princesa on Saturday.​

As part of the understanding, Villanueva said he and Hagedorn will be jointly conducting certain provincial campaign sorties. Both camps have agreed to schedule a joint visit in Davao and Bulacan.​

“Yes, Mayor Hagedorn and I have an unwritten covenant to support each other’s senatorial campaign,” Villanueva said. “Mayor Hagedorn is a long-time friend and shares, in principle, my belief that no one should be left out of the country’s economic growth which sits at the core of my advocacy of ‘politika at ekonomiyang sagigilid.’”​

Villanueva kicked off his visit in Puerto Princesa with a courtesy call to Hagedorn on Saturday. This was followed by a meeting with board member Chicoy Alvarez who vowed to support Villanueva’s bid, and later a dialogue with multi-sectoral groups in the city where he discussed his platform which he refers to as the 3Es – Ekonomiyang Agresibo’t Walang Napag-iiwanan, Edukasyon na Napapanahon, at Entre-Pinoy na Masang Pilipino ang Nangunguna at Nakikinabang.

​Initially planned only for Saturday, Villanueva extended his visit to Puerto Princesa upon the invitation of Hagedorn to join residents in the celebration of the Balayong Festival.​

Villanueva also joined Hagedorn on the mayor’s float during the parade.​

The festival – which marks the city’s founding anniversary – was highlighted by balayong tree-planting activity, street dancing and colorful floral parade depicting the Palawan Cherry Blossoms from which the festival’s name was derived from.

​“The impressive display of colors and tradition during the Balayong Festival really reflects the city’s unique culture and its people’s hospitality and friendly outlook,” Villanueva said.

​“We came here ready to meet the city’s residents and answer their questions but we were treated to a lot more than what we expected. And it made my visit to the city a lot more memorable,” he added. “I’ve always treated Palawan as my second home.”​

Since the start of the campaign period, Villanueva has visited various provinces to bring his “politika at ekonomiyang sagigilid” to local leaders and residents which, he said, is the best way where he can emphasize his advocacy.​

Villanueva uses “sagigilid” to collectively describe modern-day marginalized Filipinos that include farmers and fisherfolks forced to live in debt because they cannot earn enough to live a decent life, professionals doing menial work overseas to earn a living for their family, and poor families living in inhospitable areas in the margins of cities.