Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo encouraged her “kakampinks” or supporters in Concepcion, Tarlac to believe in the strength of their volunteer-driven campaign as she visited the Aquino bailiwick on Wednesday, Dec. 8, to attend the concelebrated mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Robredo was also in Tarlac to attend the local opening of their volunteers' headquarters. It was her third visit to the province since announcing her presidential bid in early October.
In her short message after the mass, Robredo highlighted the importance of the celebration and keeping alive the tradition of celebrating such occasion.
“Ang pinakauna doon ‘yung (First and foremost is the) total surrender to the Will of God na (that is) based on, on faith. Pangalawa, at tingin ko ‘yun ‘yung mas importante, ‘yung (Second, and I think this is the most important, it’s) to strive every single day to be in the state of grace, to strive every single day to- to strive every single day to be holy,” she said.
The aspiring president revealed that she was a member of the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) in her hometown of Naga City.
Robredo also noted that the homily touched on the subject of “continuing traditions".
“Ito ‘yung nagpapalakas ng samahan, nagsisiguro na ‘yung mga aral hindi nakakalimutan (These strengthen the togetherness, ensure that the lessons will not be forgotten) especially for the next generations,” she said.
She also met with Hermana Mayor Cresencia Turla and members of the clergy from Concepcion.
President Duterte declared Dec. 8 of every year as a special non-working holiday in celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception by signing into law Republic Act (RA) No. 10966 in 2017.
Upon Robredo’s arrival, people and vehicles lined up the streets in a static caravan to welcome her. Tricycle drivers, riders, vendors, and other groups flashed the “L” sign with their hands in support of the opposition standard-bearer.
Tarlac is a known Liberal Party (LP) bailiwick because it is the hometown of democracy icons Corazon Aquino and Benigno Aquino Jr., as well as the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Jr.
She visited the province along with running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan; her campaign manager Bam Aquino, a cousin of the late President; and senatorial aspirant and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno.
In a speech before supporters at their headquarters, Robredo recognized the difficult battle ahead of her, noting that her 2022 opponents possess both money and political machineries.
But the lady official also knows that her and Pangilinan’s campaign is “different” because of their supporters' efforts.
“Pero kapag nakikita ko po araw-araw ang mga ginagawa ninyo na mga volunteers, sino ba naman makakatalo ng ganitong klaseng (But when I see every day what volunteers are doing, who can defeat this kind of) energy, passion?,” she asked.
“Diyan po kami humuhugot ng lakas. Alam nating lahat kung gaano magiging mahirap ang eleksyong ito (That’s where we are drawing strength from. We all know how hard this campaign is going to be),” Robredo said.
She said all political candidates will promise the same things, but voters should ask them what they did when they were not running.
Robredo then asked her volunteers to do more in the next six months leading to the elections; specifically, to convince other people, to believe in their campaign, and to let the good prevail over evil.