LOS ANGELES, California - Despite recent controversies involving presidential candidate Sen. Manny Villar, his US supporters remain convinced that he will win.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and former President Joseph Estrada recently accused Villar of pressuring the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) into approving a transaction for his financial gain. Villar has denied any wrongdoing.

"I think that's part of election, you know. All those negative issues, you just have to shrug your shoulder and then let's just wait for the big day," Presy Poblete Andersen, Villar's campaign party organizer.

"People will always come up with something. Election time, Philippines is known for politics, as usual. We always come up with accusations and again people will just have to look at the record, what they have achieved so far," said Villar’s supporter, Atty. Roman Mosqueda.

Through representatives, Villar sent a message to his loyalists. Their campaign party held in Chinatown at a restaurant popular with LA Filipinos drew hundreds of supporters.

The event was part of their ongoing effort to promote Villar with the Fil-Am community.

The group is holding several gatherings from now until the elections. Their strategy is not only to convince overseas voters to choose Villar, but to get them to convince relatives back home to make the same decision.

"Ang ginagawa namin internet, tinatawagan namin yung mga relatives namin sa Pilipinas. yun ang importante. Dito wala masyadong boto. Ang boto nasa Pilipinas. So kung ma-persuade lang namin yung mga relatives, yung immediate relatives at mga kaibigan, lusot na tayo," said another Villar supporter, Paul Emata.

The event also drew potential Philippine investors and community leaders including the mayor of a US city that is home to many Filipinos.

"The potential in the Philippines is so enormous. It’s just a matter of tapping into that, focusing. I think the country needs a leader that will bring change to the country," Carson City Mayor Jim Dear said.

Villar's supporters in the US aim to continue their campaign plan which includes convincing the undecided voters to choose their candidate. Balitang America