Senatorial aspirants under the Robredo-Pangilinan ticket took the stage in Naga City on Tuesday evening, Feb. 8, to seek the support of voters as they laid their accomplishments and plans if elected before a sea of pink-clad supporters in the city.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is seeking reelection, asked for the voters' support and elect her one more time in order to continue pursuing her advocacy for the Filipino people to have a "healthy life while having good jobs."
She presented her contributions as a lawmaker in passing about 20 bills, highlighting her work on institutionalizing the 105 days maternity leave, discounts and allowance for solo parents, universal healthcare, and the anti-hospital deposit policy.
Her priority for a possible second term is social protection and livelihood to address the immediate needs of Filipinos.
"Ang huling hiling ko na lang sa inyo, kung maaari isa pa. Isa pa para sa mga kababaihan. Isa pa para sa manggagawa. Isa pa para tapusin ang korapsyon (My last favor from you is one more. One more for the women. One more the workers. One more to stop corruption)," Hontiveros said as she ended her speech.
Senator Leila De Lima, for her part, wooed the voters through a video message shown during the grand rally. She was also represented by her legal counsel, Atty. Dino De Leon.
De Lima said the reasons she decided to seek for reelection include, among others, her goals to further advance her five foremost advocacy on social justice, human rights, criminal justice reform, good governance and rule of law, and national sovereignty, and to continue protecting democracy and democratic institutions.
“Kasama ni VP Leni at Senator Kiko, kaming mga nasa senatorial lineup ay magiging katuwang nila sa hangaring 'yan. Titiyakin namin na ang Senado ay magiging bulwagan para sa mga panukalang batas at resolusyon na magpapalakas sa mga sektor sa bansa at poprotekta sa interes ng taumbayan (Together with VP Leni and Senator Kiko, we, the senatorial lineup will be your representative in the Senate. We will make sure that the senate will be a hall for laws and resolutions that will strengthen sectors in the country and protect the interest of the nation),” she added.
The detained senator also conveyed her full support to the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan saying they "will not deceive the public with promises and dramatic antics in times of crisis and disaster."
De Lima further said that "we do not need leaders who will promise to make us like Singapore or will give us illusions and fantasies."
"Ang kailangan natin ay lider na kapag binigyan ng mandato ay hindi mang-aabuso, hindi nanakawan ang taumbayan, magtatrabaho para sa ekonomiya at panlipunang serbisyo (We need leaders who will not abuse their mandate, who will not steal from the people, who will work for the economy and public service)," she added.
Visayan lawyer and author Alex Lacson also took the center stage to introduce himself to the voters by briefly telling his story.
He said he came from a simple family in Negros Occidental. He was a working student throughout his school life until he became a lawyer.
"Produkto po ako ng hardwork at ng pagsisikap pero isang araw po nakapag-aral din tayo sa Harvard (I am product of hardwork and perseverance and one day, I was able to study in Harvard)," Lacson said, earning cheers from the crowd.
He also became a lawyer of the United Nations Development Program in the Philippines but is more known as an author of patriotic books. He was also the campaign manager of Senator Raul Roco in 2004.
"Dahil mahal na mahal ko po siya at bilib na bilib po ako sa kanya, ngayon po pwedeng ako naman ang humingi ng tulong sa inyo? Pwede po ipanalo n'yo rin ako dito sa Naga City (Because I love him and I really admire him, now can I also ask for your help? Can you help me win here in Naga City too)?" the senatorial aspirant asked.
Lacson, if elected, will push for a program that will provide ordinary Filipino families a "family health card" with P100,000 benefits every year.
Other TROPA candidates who were present at the campaign kickoff event were Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero (via recorded message), Senator Richard Gordon, labor lawyer Sonny Matula, and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.