VICE President Leni Robredo yesterday went around Camarines Norte and Sorsogon and urged people to be wiser so they will not be duped again by politicians who have made careers out of making empty promises.
The opposition’s presidential candidate said that like single ladies who are being wooed by many suitors, voters have to be wise and careful in choosing their leaders because a mistake can cause them their future.
“Ang akin lang pong dasal ay sana huwag nating sayangin ‘yung kapangyarihan natin pumili sa 2022. Para po ‘yang dalaga na nililigawan, kung magpapa-budol po tayo, tayo din ‘yung lugi sa kahuli-hulihan (My prayer is let’s not waste our power to choose our leaders in 2022. It’s like a lady who is being wooed. If we allow ourselves to be fooled, we’ll only end up as the losers),” Robredo said during a stop in Labo, Camarines Norte on the second day of the campaign for national posts.
Robredo said voters have to be meticulous and examine the background and track records of candidates so they will not easily fall into the trap once they start making promises and uttering flowery words.
She vouched for the integrity of her running mate Sen. Francis Pangilinan and their senatorial candidates, particularly Sen. Richard Gordon who joined in at the event.
She said she would need the support of Pangilinan and their senatorial candidates if she wins the race.
Before visiting Labo, Robredo spoke at a mini-rally in Daet town where she made the same pitch for good governance. Later in the afternoon, the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem attended a rally at the Sorsogon provincial capitol in Sorsogon City which was hosted by Gov. Francis Escudero who is a guest candidate in their “Angat Buhay” senatorial slate.
On Tuesday night, Robredo, Pangilinan and some members of their senatorial slate attended their proclamation rally at the Plaza Quezon in Naga City where the Vice President vowed to honor the legacy of her husband, the late interior secretary Jesse Robredo who became a Ramon Magsaysay awardee for good governance because of his “Tsinelas” leadership, his rural grassroots and poverty alleviation program when he was the mayor of the city.
Robredo said people who have no choice but to bite the bullet and elect corrupt leaders have to be awakened from their stupor because there is still hope under a morally upright kind of leadership.
Robredo said people who have no choice but to bite the bullet and elect corrupt leaders have to be awakened from their stupor because there is still hope under a morally upright kind of leadership.
Pangilinan told the thousands of pink-clad attendees: “Pag ang bayong, mabigat, uunahin mo ang ilalim para iangat. Kasi pag sa taas, masisira. Uunahin natin iyong nasa ilalim (When the bag is heavy, you have to lift it from the bottom because it will break if you you hold it from the top. We will prioritize those in the bottom of the society),” he said.
Gordon, who led the Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s probe into the alleged overpriced deal between Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. and the government at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, slammed President Duterte during the grand rally, saying he sided and defended Pharmally officials who are accused of graft and corruption.
“Ninakawan na tao, pinagtatanggol pa ng Pangulo, iyang Pharmally. Dapat pumili tayo ng mahusay (We’ve been robbed but the President defended Pharmally. We should choose good leaders). You should not compromise between your duty. Gagawin ko ang trabaho ko kasi iyan ang sinumpaan ko (I’ll do my job because I have a sworn duty),” he said.
In a rally in Albay, Rep. Joey Salceda said Robredo is the “best for the country.”
“She has no vested interest to protect. She’s just guided by her heart, a genuine desire to serve the people,” said Salceda who has jumped the political fence once again, after his original choice for the presidential race, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, decided to run for vice president with Ferdinand Marcos Jr as her presidential bet.
Another prominent figure who is backing the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem is former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. who called the two “heaven-sent.”
“Only this tandem of Leni-Kiko has a vision for our country, or has presented to the people doable and achievable programs of government within their term of six years that would lift up our country and our people from years of stagnation and decay because of corruption and greed, incompetence, poor governance and failure of accountability,” Davide said.
Another presidential candidate, Manila Mayor Francisco “isko Moreno” Domagoso also gained a new supporter.
Rodriguez, Rizal town Mayor Dennis Tom Hernandez was a supporter of Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go who has withdrawn from the race, and is now backing Moreno who paid him a courtesy call yesterday at the Rodriguez Municipal Hall.
Hernandez said he believes Moreno, who came from the poor sector of society, understands the people.
Moreno was accompanied by his vice presidential candidate Willie Ong and senatorial bets Samira Gutoc, Carl Balita and lawyer Jopet Sison. — With Ashzel Hachero and Gerard Naval
