Robredo’s supporters cheer her on in first campaign trip to Mindanao
Vice President and Presidential aspirant Leni Robredo warned against an election based on lies.
In her first foray to Mindanao as a presidential candidate on Tuesday, February 21, Robredo asked the people to be more vigilant against disinformation and help her fight fake news.
“Pag ang eleksyon, ang magiging basehan niya kasinungalingan, lagot tayong lahat. Kaya tayo po, lalabanan natin ‘yung kasinungalingan, ‘yung mensahe ng kabutihan ay ipapaabot natin sa mga kakilala, mga kapamilya, mga kaklase, mga kaibigan natin,” Robredo said as the people who gathered at the Rizal Park in Iligan City cheered her on.
The “people’s rally” in the city was organized by the Iligan-Lanao Coalition for Leni so that she can meet her supporters tirelessly working for her and running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan. Groups and organizations from the Robredo People’s Councils (RPC) of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur were at the rally, as well.
From a slow and quiet morning, the plaza burst into happy cheers as people greeted Robredo. Her supporters in pink endlessly shouted “Leni! Leni!”, as they waited for her to arrive at the plaza. They also sang “Bayan Ko” while waving the Philippine flag.
Onstage, Robredo read their handmade placards and thanked everyone who came to see her. She said that by being with her at the plaza, they have shown how important the upcoming elections is to them.
“Ngayon ko lang po nakita na ‘yung lahat ng mga nag-aattend, lahat sila invested sa ginagawa natin. Sabi nga ni Mayor Lawrence [Cruz] kanina, ‘Kahit walang hakot, nandito kayo,’ Ano ang gusto kong sabihin? Bakit nandito kayo ngayong umaga? Nandito kayo ngayong umaga dahil naiintindihan ninyo na napakahalaga ng eleksyon na ito,” Robredo said.
Robredo also took note how the crowd was made up mostly of young people.
“Bakit maraming kabataan dito ngayon? Dahil alam niyo na kinabukasan niyo ‘yung pinaglalaban natin ngayon,” she said.
Robredo began her Mindanao visit with a courtesy call to Iligan City’s religious leaders led by Bishop Jose Rapadas III at the Bishop’s Residence, where she received prayers and messages of support.
From Iligan City, Robredo went to Gingoog in Misamis Oriental for another people’s rally.
After visiting Western Visayas last week, the tireless Robredo is set to take on more areas in Northern Mindanao. Robredo’s itinerary includes meetings with local clergies, visits to volunteer centers, highlighted by the people’s rallies organized by volunteers and supporters under the RPC.
The Office of the Vice President, through its Angat Buhay Program, has built classrooms and dormitories in different parts of Northern Mindanao.
The OVP’s poverty alleviation program has also provided trainings and seed grants for women entrepreneurs in the region. (VP Leni Media Bureau)
