Gringo calls for peaceful elections and unity in Laguna
LAGUNA, Philippines – Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II paid a visit to the province of Laguna, where he met with long-time friends Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto II and met with key local officials Governor Ramil Hernandez and Vice Governor Katherine Agapay.
– Macho Bloc –
Gringo was a member of the “macho bloc” in the Senate along with Lacson and Sotto. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of peace and order.
Gringo spent 21 years in the Senate, having first been elected in 1995.
– Laguna close to his heart –
Gringo expressed fondness for Laguna, saying that his wife and her parents are originally from Pagsanjan.
As the place where his wife was born and baptized, he says that Laguna is very close to his heart.
– Importance of unity –
Calling for peaceful and fair elections, Gringo urged voters to assess the individual competence and experience of all candidates. He stressed the need to work together regardless of who wins the 2022 Elections.
He ended his speech with a call for unity:
“Kaya ang hiling ko lang sa inyo at panalangin naming lahat ay isulong natin pumili tayong mabuti, pero ang pinakamahalaga ay yung pagtutulungan. Yan ang tanging huling dahilan. kung humaharap ako sa inyo. Sumasaludo ako sa inyo, kayo ang nasa frontline, bawat pamilya, bawat tahanan, yung mga nasa health center, nasa hospital. Kaya magtulungan po tayo. Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay tayong lahat!” [I ask and pray that we choose wisely, but importantly help one another. That’s the reason why I stand before you. I salute you, those in the frontline, each family, each home, those in the health center, and hospital. So let’s help one another. Thank you. May we all proper.]
In addition to his years of service in the military and in the Senate, Gringo was also the Secretary of the DICT from 2019 to 2021.