CELEBRITIES and marginalized sectors endorsed the candidacy of Makabayan senatorial bet Teddy Casiño.
Coinciding with what his supporters had dubbed “Teddy Day,” Casiño was joined in a press conference by the likes of movie director Joel Lamangan who told media, “Siya lamang po sa kongreso o sa senado ang totoong may puso at galing sa karaniwang tao. Siya ang kumakatawan sa interes ng karaniwang tao, alam ang suliranin ng bansa sa punto de bista ng karaniwang tao.”
Lamangan said the workers in the film industry need a representative who will fight for their rights. Actor Jeffrey Santos agreed, saying “the nation needs someone like Casiño.”
“Nakita ko yung buhay ng maralitang lungsod, maralitang manggagawa. Nakita ko ang kabilang panig…Hindi tayo dapat mapagod sumigaw. Hindi tayo dapat mapagod lumaban. Narito ang isang Teddy Casiño para ipagpatuloy ang laban natin,” Santos said.
Later in the day, actor Pen Medina gave his video endorsement for the activist solon. He said, “Matagal ko nang nakikita si Teddy Casiño sa protesta, sa kongreso at nakilatis ko ng mabuti ang kanyang pagkatao. Isa syang mabuting tao, para sya sa mga karaniwang tao at para sya sa tunay na pagbabago. Kaya #1 sa listahan ko ngayon eleksyon sa Mayo 13 – Teddy Casiño.”
Television host Boy Abunda and actor Chuckie Dreyfus also sent their respective messages for the progressive candidate. Abunda, has long been supportive of Casiño’s politics of change, especially his advocacy for the LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders) sector while Dreyfus has been helping out in Casiño’s online campaign.
Earlier, comedian Willie Nepomuceno expressed his support for Casiño’s candidacy by endorsing the progressive lawmaker in the spitting image of former president Joseph Estrada and President Benigno Aquino III.
Musicians were also present at the Casa Filipino press conference.
“Kung iboboto niyo si Teddy Casiño, hindi kayo mama-Maling Akala!” Dino Concepcion, vocalist of Brownman Revival said, in reference to their famous revival of the song “Maling Akala.”
He added that Casiño somehow “made the difference for the cynical youth of today.”
Datu’s Tribe lead Cabring Cabrera also said he was endorsing the three-term congressman because he is very unassuming, witty and easy to work with.
Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chairman Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Willy Marbella said they are pushing for Casiño’s win to ensure that workers and farmers will have a representative in the Senate. They lauded Casiño for campaigning for genuine agrarian reform and a legislated wage hike in his nine years in the House of Representatives.
Kabataan party-list representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino said Casiño had become an idol of the youth since becoming one of the youngest leaders of EDSA 2. He said Casiño’s unblemished track record in Congress proved that one can become a legislator without being corrupt.
In addition to his platform against poverty through genuine agrarian reform, national industrialization, and lower prices of basic commodities, Casiño has been actively campaigning in support of Filipino artists, youth and netizens.
He envisions a nationalist, scientific, and mass-oriented education and culture. He authored House Bill 4443 or the Local Music Industry Incentives Act which was already approved by the House of Representatives, as well as measures on tuition and other school fees regulation. As a blogger and active netizen, he crafted the Netizen’s Bill of Rights with Palatino.