A week after declaring their respective bids for the 2022 polls, presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan were joined by daughters Jillian Robredo and Frankie Pangilinan in an online meet and greet with supporters in Hong Kong.
Vice President Robredo spoke of the importance of a people’s campaign, citing the outpouring public support, both online and offline, for her candidacy.
“Kagaya ninyo, kahit malayo sa Maynila o sa Pilipinas, damang-dama natin ang kahalagahan ng kampanyang nagsisimula mismo galing sa taumbayan (Like you, even if you’re far from Manila or the Philippines, we can feel the importance of the campaign that starts from the people),” she said, noting the presence of her youngest daughter Jillian and Kiko's daughter Frankie who are both currently studying in New York.
This was the first time the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem was joined by their daughters in an event. Clad in pink, Jillian and Frankie have taken to social media to express their support for their parents.
READ: Jillian Robredo, Frankie Pangilinan to help campaign for parents while studying in US
“One week pa lang (It’s only been a week) since the announcement at nakakataba po ng puso yung suporta (and the support has been heartening). With so many resources available online, sana po (hopefully) we go out of our echo chamber to engage the masses. Huwag po tayo mag-away (Let’s not fight),” the younger Robredo said.
Pangilinan’s daughter also called for unity and stressed the need to focus on the real problem.
“Wag na tayo mang-away. Wag na po sana nating awayin yung mga pareho lang naman tayo ng ipinaglalaban. Hindi nila kasalanan. Tandaan po natin kung sino at ano ang tunay na problema (Let’s not fight anymore. Let’s not argue with those who are fighting for the same things. It is not their fault. Let us remember who and what is the real problem),” Frankie said.
The HK group also shared how long voter registration lines have been a familiar sight in Hong Kong since voter registration opened in December 2019, with hundreds of Filipinos wanting to participate in the electoral process.
Robredo and Pangilinan are running for the country’s top two elective positions next year.
Since she announced her candidacy for president last Oct. 7, Robredo has received a deluge of support from volunteers, celebrities, and businesses. They painted their social media posts pink, Robredo’s fresh campaign color. Her other supporters also held various motorcades in Laguna, Cebu, and home region of Bicol last weekend.
READ: A people’s campaign’: VP Leni emboldened by volunteers’ caravans in Bicol, other provinces
During the online event, Pangilinan encouraged relatives in the Philippines to register since the deadline has been extended to October 31, 2021.
“Tandaan po natin, COVID at gutom ang kailangang tutukan. Magparehistro po tayo para bumoto. Bumoto upang matutukan ang COVID response, kagutuman, at kawalan ng hanap buhay (Let us remember, the focus should be on COVID and hunger. Let us register to vote. Vote to address the COVID response, hunger, and unemployment),” the senator said.
The event late last week was attended and organized by overseas Filipinos based in Hong Kong. The group currently has 50,000 volunteers and has been actively organizing events in support of the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem.