BACOLOD CITY – Some local officials have been hiding from the Otso Diretso senatorial candidates out of fear of reprisals from President Rodrigo Duterte. ADVERTISEMENTAlejano was on the campaign trail in Bacolod with former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, former Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno and civil society leader Samira Gutoc of the Otso Diretso team. “This election is a fight for the future of our country,” he said in stressing the need to vote opposition senatorial candidates into office in May. He said they were campaigning in vote-rich Negros on Friday because solid votes from the province would have a big effect on the Otso Diretso bets’ chances of winning, he said. The Otso Diretso bets also aired their opposition against import liberalization of sugar industry that they said would kill the local sugar industry.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 22, 2019 09:56 UTC