Mendoza woos pangasinan voters

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza on Thursday appealed to Pan-gasinan residents to support her senatorial bid in the May 12 midterm elections.

Mendoza made a brief stop at the capitol plaza here, where a street dance exhibition was underway as one of the highlights of this year's Pistay Dayat (Sea Festival).

"I'm okay," Mendoza said when asked about her campaign. "But of course, for someone who has no money and no machinery, it's really tiring."

Still, she added, "You don't lose energy and you don't lose inspiration because you see a lot of people supporting and helping."

Positioning herself as a non-traditional candidate, Mendoza expressed admiration for the hardworking spirit of the Pangasinense and said she is running for Filipinos who continue to believe in good governance and clean public ser-vice.

Pangasinan, the fourth most vote-rich province in the country, has over 2.15 million registered voters, roughly 60 percent of the Ilocos Region's electorate. The province recorded an 87.18 percent voter turnout in the 2022 elections.

"My wish to the people of Pangasinan is that you help me in my journey," Mendoza said, appealing to senior citizens, the youth, former colleagues in government, and fellow Filipinos "who are looking for change."

Mendoza, who is listed as No. 45 on the senatorial ballot, emphasized her integrity in public service.

"I have served before, but I have never stolen and never learned how to steal," she said.

"I am asking for help. I am not a politician. I am a fellow countryman."

As the campaign season heats up, Mendoza said she hopes to gain support not through grand rallies or expensive ad-vertisements, but through the genuine backing of people who want honesty and integrity restored in the Senate.