PHILIPPINES: IMELDA MARCOS STAGES FINAL ELECTION RALLY

(7 May 1995) English/Nat Imelda Marcos staged her final campaign rally Saturday, despite another ruling by the Commission on Elections to nullify her candidacy for the House of Representatives. The widow of ousted Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos was considered a sure winner in her home province of Leyte Island. And it is as yet uncertain what will happen if she wins a mandate in Monday’s elections despite the nullification order. Former First Lady Imelda Marcos got a warm welcome from the crowd during her final campaign rally in her home province of Leyte. She pledged victory in Monday’s elections, even though the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has disqualified her candidacy. Marcos was considered a sure winner for the district of Tolosa in Leyte, until she was disqualified last month on a residence technicality. But undaunted, she continued to campaign, saying she could prove that she has lived in Tolosa longer than the required length of time. SOUNDBITE: “I have an earlier residence certificate, November 5, 1992, my countrymen.“ SUPER CAPTION: Imelda Marcos - former first lady of the Philippines and Congressional candidate But on Saturday, the full seven-member election commission affirmed an earlier ruling by its second division to disqualify Marcos for failing to meet the residency requirement. Apparently, her certificate of candidacy indicated she had resided in Tolosa for only seven months, less than the one year residency requirement. However, commission officials said her name would not be stricken from the ballot because the Supreme Court has not ruled on her appeal. SOUNDBITE: “We will proceed to the Supreme Court. By May 8, it will already be moot and academic because the people have spoken, that is the ultimate court.“ SUPER CAPTION: Imelda Marcos - former first lady of the Philippines and Congressional candidate The Marcos family still enjoys support in many areas of the country, including Leyte and northern Luzon Island. Some of the supporters staged this motorcade which went around Leyte before the final campaign night. SOUNDBITE: “Of course Imelda for Congresswoman, because I love her, she comes from this place and she knows how to relate to the people here.“ SUPER CAPTION: Emma del Rosario - 73-year-old voter from Leyte UPSOUND: “Imelda, Imelda!“ Marcos remains a clear favourite and several thousand of her supporters were ecstatic as she sang on stage in her native dialect. To cap off her campaign, she sang three songs to wild cheers from the crowd. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: