SORSOGON CITY—Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo went around Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, and then Albay on the second day of the campaign for the May polls.
Robredo’s group took a visit first at Daet, the capital of Camarines Norte, where she encouraged people to unify behind a government that was not driven by politics, but by a will to serve with decency and competence.
" hinihiling ko po sa inyo, magkaisa tayo. Sana po hindi maging dahilan ang politika para magkawatak-watak dahil ang isinusulong naman po natin ang klase ng pamamahala, isang klase ng pamamahala na matino at mahusay (What I’m asking from you, let us unite. I hope politics will not be a reason for division because we are pushing a kind of governance that decent and competent),” she said.
In her message at the campaign stop, she acknowledged that the elections was an opportunity to make a change in government.
“The 2022 elections will be an opportunity for us to choose public servants who take care of the people. That’s why we have to learn,” she said in Filipino.
The Vice President then proceeded to Camarines Norte’s Labo town, where she also stopped by and asked her fellow Bicolanos to support her entire slate.
“Kung tutulungan niyo po ako, kailangan tulungan niyo din ang mga kasama ko. Mas marami po tayong magagawa pag ‘yung mga kasama natin sa pamamahala ay pareho ‘yung mga paniniwala sa atin: Paniniwala sa isang malinis, matapat at mahusay na pamamahala (If you are going to help me, I need you to help my ticket, too. We can do more if the people with us in governance have the same beliefs: Belief in a clean, honest, and excellent governance),” she said.
In Sorsogon City, Governor Chiz Escudero introduced the tandem of Robredo and her running mate Sen. Kiko Pangilinan to his fellow Sorsogueños, describing the tandem as “dignified” and with “good track record”.
“Napatunayan na natin ang kaya niyang magawa hindi lang sa Sorsogon, hindi lang sa Bicol, kundi sa buong Pilipinas. Proud akong ipakilala sa inyo ang napakasipag, mabait, mapagkakatiwalian, at tapat, ang nag-iisang babaeng presidential candidate (We have already proven what she can do not only in Sorsogon, not only in Bicol, but in the whole Philippines. I am proud to introduce to you a very hardworking, kind, trustworthy, and honest, the only female presidential candidate),” Escudero, who seeks a Senate comeback, said in Bikol.
“Siya ay hindi lang anak ng Bicol, kundi anak mismo ng Sorsogon, partikular na ng Bulan (She is not only a daughter of Bicol, but she is a daughter of Sorsogon, particularly of Bulan),” he added.
Robredo’s father is from Bulan, Sorsogon.
Escudero also spoke of Pangilinan, noting they have much in common, including famous wives.
“Kapag nag-uusap kami ni Kiko, parati kaming nagbibiruan na mas sikat ang mga asawa namin. Kapag nasa labas kami at may nagpapa-picture, akala namin sa amin magpapa-picture, sa mga asawa pala namin, (When Kiko and I talk, we always joke about how our wives are more famous than us. When we are outside and someone asks for a picture, we thought they are asking to take a picture with us, but it’s really with our wives),” the governor said.
Escudero is married to actress, fashion icon, and social media personality Heart Evangelista while Pangilinan’s wife is superstar Sharon Cuneta.
“Kasabayan ko po si sa UP College of Law at sabay din kaming nag-take ng bar exams. Sabay kami nagdasal na makapasa sa bar. Nakasama ko din siya sa Senado sa napakatagal na panahon (I was with at the UP College of Law and we took the bar exams together. We prayed at the same time to pass the bar. I was also with him at the Senate for a long time),” he added.
Addressing the Sorsogueños, Pangilinan touted his advocacy for food security and pushing for pro-agriculture reforms, including Sagip Saka which mandates government to purchase the produce of farmers and fishermen directly without public bidding.
“Bilang dating (As the former) food security secretary, bibigyan din natin ng diin ang problema ng pagkain. Ang ama ng ating governor, dating (we will also focus on the problem of food. The father of our government is a former) Secretary of Agriculture,” Pangilinan said.
Joining the Leni-Kiko tandem in Sorsogon City were senatorial candidates Chel Diokno, Sonny Matula, and Teddy Baguilat Jr.
After the trip to Sorsogon, the Robredo-Pangilinan team proceeded to mini-rallies organized at Peñaranda Park in Legazpi City, Tabaco City Park in Legazpi City, and at the Municipal Hall of Guinobatan, Albay.