Multi-sectoral groups on Sunday, Feb. 13, showed up for the campaign rally of Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Kiko Pangilinan as their affirmed their support for their respective candidacies in the May 2022 polls.
Representatives of various sectors joined the Leni-Kiko tandem on stage, with Director Joel Lamangan reading the “People’s Proclamation” for them.
These sectors are Seniors for Leni, Momshies for Leni, LGBTQIA+ for Leni, Bigay Buhay, Youth for Leni QC, First Ko Si Leni, Berdeng Kakampink, ABS-CBN Union of Labor Groups, Artists for Leni, and many others.
They vouched for Robredo and Pangilinan, saying they will uphold good governance and democracy and fight fascism and corruption.
“Hindi ba tayo nagtataka? Matapos ang halalan, matapos ang magaganda at ka-akit-akit na mga pangako, matapos mailuklok sa pwesto ang mga nanalo, ang buhay nating mga botante ay pareho pa rin (Are you not wondering? After the elections, after their good and attractive promises, after they got elected, the lives of voters are still the same),” Lamangan said.
The People’s Proclamation outlined the demands of people for a livable wage, affordable basic commodities such as food, electricity, and water, dignity for farmers and fisherfolk, security of tenure for workers, among others.
“Laban ito ng naghihirap laban sa mga nagpapahirap. Laban ito ng mga ama ng tahanan na kailangang mamili—pang-matrikula ba ng kanyang anak o maputulan ng kuryente (This is a fight of people suffering against those who make them suffer. This is a fight of a father who need to choose—pay for tuition of his child or experience power cut),” the statement reads.
“Laban ito ng mga tsuper na sa gitna ng pandemya ay nawalan ng kita. At ngayong nakapasada na, wala pa ring kita sa taas ng presyo ng krudo at gasolina. Laban ito ng magsasaka na ngayon pa lamang nagkakaroon ng pagkakataong kumita ay bigla namang pinayagan ang imported rice at iba pa (This is a fight of drivers who lost their incomes in the middle of the pandemic. And now they return to work, they still don’t earn due to the high prices of crude oil and gasoline. This is a fight of farmers who are just given the chance to make income when imported rice and other goods are allowed), it added.
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The multi-sectoral groups are pinning their hopes on the Leni-Kiko tandem that their long-time clamors be heard in the next administration.
“Panahon na upang ang buhay nating maliliit, upang ang buhay nating mahihirap, upang ang buhay nating binabalewala ang magkaroon ng bagong pag-asa. Panahon na upang ang maralita ay magkaroon ng tunay ng boses sa pagpapatakbo ng pamahalaan (It is time for the lives of the smallest, for the lives of the poor, for the lives of the neglected to have a new hope. It is time for the poorest to have a true voice in governance),” he said.
Calling Robredo a “champion,” the director added that she will be incorruptible from the bribe of big businesses and will instead take the side of the poor.
“Dumating na ang ating kampeon na tunay na ipaglalaban ang interes ng milyon-milyong mamboboto (A champion who will fight for the interest of millions of voters has finally arrived),” Lamangan said.
Supporters of the Leni-Kiko slate flocked the streets of Quezon City and converged at the Quezon City Memorial Circle to show their support for them ahead of the upcoming elections.
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Similar with her other speeches, Robredo took the stage as the crowd roared in support.
She wooed voters with her promises of transparency, accountability, and good governance, saying she has the receipts to back these up.
“Ang pinapangako po namin isang leadership na matino at mahusay, pamamahala na matapat, masipag, at malinis dahil ito lang yung paraan para umangat yung mga nasa laylayan (What we are promising is a leadership that is decent and excellent, governance that is honest, diligent, and clean because this is the only way to uplift the lives of those in the fringes),” Robredo added.
Pink confetti rained in the covered area of the public park where only a few of her supporters were allowed to enter because of health and safety protocols.
Robredo asked voters to not only support her but Pangilinan and her senatorial slate as well.