LUPI, Camarines Sur — Presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday, Feb. 8, rallied her fellow Bicolanos at the Angat Buhay Village here to join her crusade to uplift the lives of Filipinos through good governance and participatory leadership.
Robredo’s team kicked off the start of the official campaign period in the place that symbolizes collaboration, which is the core of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) work ethic.
The Angat Buhay Village in Lupi was born out of the partnership of the OVP, the local government unit (LGU), the University of Nueva Caceres, and private donors.
She recognized the frustration of voters who felt that nothing will change in the corrupt practices of people in government.
“Kaya ngayong umaga po, sa pag-umpisa ng ating kampanya, niyayaya ko po kayong lahat na samahan kami– sumama po kayo sa laban nating ito dahil ito ay para sa ating lahat (This morning, at the start of our campaign, I am asking you to join us—join us because this fight is for all of us),” she told the audience here.
“Malakas po ang loob ko dahil alam ko na kahit anong hirap ang pagdaanan natin, kakayanin natin dahil magkakasama tayo (I am confident because I know that no matter how tough the road is, we can do it if we are together),” Robredo added.
The aspiring president talked about the Angat Buhay Village, a housing and resettlement project for more than a hundred families who lost their homes when typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses hit the province in late 2020.
She said it is proof that more can be done when the people trust the government since the OVP used private donations to fund the village.
“At ang tulong pong ito nanggagaling sa tiwala. Tiwala na kung ano ang ibibigay niya sa atin, siguradong makakarating ito sa mga pinakanangangailangan (This help comes from trust. Trust that what is given to us will surely reach the needy),” Robredo shared.
“Dahil ito ang pinaka halimbawa na pag ang gobyerno tapat sa kanyang panunungkulan, pag ang gobyerno bumababa at pinapakiramdaman ‘yung pangangailangan ng taumbayan, napapapunta sa tama ang pera na nasa kaban ng bayan (This is the best example that when the government is true to its duties, when the government goes to the ground to assess the needs of the people, the public’s money is spent well),” she added.
Kicking off her campaign from Bicol is a sign of good luck for the Vice President because she was born and raised here.
“Dito ako nag-aral. Dito ako nakapag-asawa. Dito kami bumuo ng pamilya. Dito ako nagtrabaho. Kaya natutuwa ako dahil sa pagsabak ko sa pinakamahirap na laban ng aking buhay, dito ako sa inyo magpapaalam (I studied here. I got married here. We built our family here. I worked here. That’s why I am happy that in the biggest fight of my life, I am here to start my journey),” Robredo said.
If she wins in the May 9 elections, Robredo will be the first Bicolano president and country’s third female president.
The Vice President asked her fellow Bicolanos to also vote for her ticket, which includes Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as her vice president.
“Walang pong saysay kung tutulungan niyo ako pero hindi niyo sila tutulungan. Ito na po ang pinakahuli kong pakiusap sa inyo (Helping me will have no sense if you will not help them. This is my last request from you),” she said.
On Tuesday, Pangilinan said their tandem will prioritize socio-economic development powered by people and organizations from the grassroots.
From Lupi, Robredo, Pangilinan, and their Senate slate headed to Libmanan. Their next pit stops are Tigaon and Iriga City. The campaign kickoff will culminate with a grand rally in Naga City.