Volunteers for Gibo founder Andrew Masigan has affirmed that Lakas Kampi frontrunner Gibo Teodoro is no longer just the ruling party’s standard-bearer but the ‘people’s candidate.’ This was his reaction after several defections were reported from the ranks of the said party.

“The composition of the party (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) can change, the members can change, the leadership can change, but the volunteers and the people who ardently support Gibo are here not because of the Lakas party, or other politicos under Lakas. We’re here for Gibo and for what he stands for,” said Masigan.

“Gibo represents new politics. In new politics, principles, honor and loyalty, plans and programs reign supreme over money, patronage, and power preservation,” he added.

This was the combined response of Gibo supporters across the nationwide who were shocked by the most recent twists in Lakas Kampi.

“Gibo is the antithesis of the ‘trapo’ [traditional politician]. It’s not only us [the volunteers] who are sick and tired of those trapos. Everyone is,” Masigan said.

According to Masigan, the people, and not just Gibo volunteers, will back the 1989 bar top-notcher all the way to the May 10 elections.

“We are passionate about supporting Gibo because he represents change,” said Masigan. “It is undisputable that he is waging a dignified campaign never before seen in Philippine politics.”

Ggovernors, congressmen, and other Lakas members across the archipelago for the meantime took turns in conveying support for the former Defense chief.

The spokesperson of Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and secretary-general of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone , stressed out that the party is now “reinvigorated and has new dynamism” because of these progress’.

“Those who leave have their reasons. Baka ayaw nila nang pagbabago.....Kanya-kanya yan [Maybe they don’t want change. They have their own reasons]. I, personally, am for Gibo all the way," Evardone said.