Thousands of supporters in Cagayan welcomed presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo in her first campaign rally in the so-called "Solid North" since declaring her presidential bid last year.
During the "Kakampinks Assembly" in Tuguegarao City on Saturday, March 12, Robredo admitted that she got nervous about campaigning in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela which are considered bailiwicks of her opponent, former senator Bongbong Marcos.
"Alam ninyo, bago kami pumunta dito ni Senator Kiko, medyo kinakabahan ako... Yung tanong ko, gaano kaya kadami yung sasalubong sa amin? Kaya nakakagulat na nandito kayo ngayong lahat kahit napakaaga pa kaya maraming maraming salamat (I was a bit nervous before coming here. I wonder if anybody would welcome us. So we are surprised that you are all here very early. Thank you very much!)," she said.
Robredo would also sometimes be interrupted by the crowd chanting "Awan ti Solid North" or there is no Solid North.
The Vice President was also reminded of how she has always come through for Cagayan even though she lost in the province by a landslide in the 2016 vice-presidential campaign.
"Noong nakaupo na po akong Vice President, kahit po talong-talo ako dito sa inyo, bawat sakuna, isa ako sa mga pinakaunang nandito (Even though I lost here, when I became vice president, I was one of the first to come here every disaster)," Robredo said.
"Hindi ko po tiningnan, hindi po ako tumingin sa kulay ng politika. Basta po tinatamaan 'yung Cagayan ng bagyo, nandito po ako (I don't look at the political color. If a typhoon hits Cagayan, I am always here)," she added.
In 2016, Marcos won in all northern provinces except for Batanes.
In Cagayan Valley, Marcos got 1.047 million votes, with Robredo getting 184,520 votes. The gap is also wide in Ilocos Region with 1.764 million votes for Marcos, and only 297,000 for Robredo.
Meanwhile, Robredo thanked Cagayanos for the warm welcome given to her in the province despite being Marcos' turf.
"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyo dahil alam ko po na para sa inyo, mahirap itong gawin. Mahirap gawin para sa inyo na sumuporta ng ibang presidential candidate (I know that it is difficult for you to support other presidential candidate so thank you)."
She likewise told them to continue the fight for the country's future and closely check the background and track record of candidates wooing them.
"Yung sa atin lang po, bago tayo makikinig sa mga pangako, bago natin paniniwalaan 'yung mga pangako, parati pong tatanungin natin, nasaan ang resibo? (Before believing their promises, we should always ask them for receipts)," Robredo said.
After her activities in Tuguegarao City and Alcala in Cagayan, Robredo is also set to barnstorm Isabela this weekend.
Robredo had visited northern Mindanao, and Romblon earlier this week, including the activities in Negros Occidental which drew more than 100,000 kakampinks.
Bacolod City has so far attracted the highest number of supporters since the campaign period began–breaking an earlier grand-rally record in Cavite attended by 47,000 people from various towns and municipalities.