Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan are grateful as they earned a new “KaTROPA” in Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi who expressed support for the opposition’s tandem.
In a statement, Fresnedi came out in the open about his support for the respective bids of Robredo and Pangilinan in the May 2022 polls.
“I'm supporting VP Leni for President and Senator Kiko for Vice President, believing na silang dalawa ay karapat-dapat (that the two of them deserve) to be the leaders of the 110 million Filipinos,” he said on Monday, October 25.
The Muntinlupa mayor noted the “sincerity and competence” of the two opposition candidates and their track records in public service.
“Nakikita natin ‘yung (We see the) love of country, and love for the Filipinos. Yun ang ino-offer nila, walang (That’s what they offer, no) reservations. They are offering their services, their lives, their time to serve the people of the Philippines for the next six years,” he added.
Both Robredo and Pangilinan called their supporters ka-TROPA at KakamPink. TROPA is from the words team, Robredo, and Pangilinan while Kakampink is the combination of the words kakampi (ally) and pink, the Vice President’s unofficial campaign color.
More than 10,000 vehicles in around 50 cities nationwide held the Caravan of Hope for Robredo and Pangilinan last weekend. Muntinlupa was among the participating cities in the motorcade held in support of the opposition’s tandem.
READ: Robredo's campaign supported by 'awakened people' — Bam Aquino
Fresnedi, who is seeking a congressional seat next year, believes the KaTROPA campaign will bring back good governance that prioritizes the people’s welfare especially during the pandemic.
Under Fresnedi’s term, Muntinlupa City has collaborated with Robredo’s Metro Laylayan initiative which provides support for urban poor communities.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) also turned over almost P5 million worth of COVID-19 test kits to the city to augment its supply.
On Sunday, Oct. 24, Robredo said she was surprised by the people’s campaign and the local executives who threw their support to her 2022 presidential run.
READ: Robredo wowed by pink parade turnout
“Nagulat ako kasi ‘di ba nasabi ko na ito na wala kaming inaasahan na local official na parang (I’m surprised because as I’ve said that we are not expecting local officials who) will come out in the open to support us dahil sa political climate natin (because of our political climate),” she said.
“Mayroon ding iba na nagsu-support pero quiet lang. Pero nagugulat kami dun sa sobrang open (Others also showed support but they did it so quietly. We are surprised by those who are very open),” Robredo added.
Fresnedi is the third local executive who openly backs Robredo’s candidacy after Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Cagayan De Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno.