Presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo is looking forward that other local officials may follow suit amid the growing number of political parties and personalities openly endorsing her candidacy for the May 9 elections.
In a media briefing in Tagum City on Thursday, March 24, Robredo said the endorsement of former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and his Partido Reporma in President Duterte’s home region of Davao will encourage more local officials “to come out in the open” to support her presidential bid.
“Ang epekto nito hindi lang dito pero (It’s effect is not only here but) I’m sure because of the coming out of Speaker Alvarez, of the governor, and all the local officials here, mas maglalakas loob ‘yung ibang local officials (other local officials will have more courage) to follow suit,” she said.
“Kasi ganun naman talaga ang laban, kapag nagsisimula ka na medyo dehado (Because that is how really the fight goes, at the start you’re the underdog). It takes a lot of courage to go out in the open,” Robredo added.
The Vice President gained a new key ally in Davao del Norte's Edwin Jubahib, who raised her hands alongside Alvarez on Thursday at the Davao del Norte Provincial Capitol.
This came after Alvarez’ Reporma Party dropped Senator Panfilo Lacson as its presidential bet and shifted allegiance to Robredo.
READ: Lacson quits Partido Reporma, will run as independent
Before this, Robredo visited the Davao del Sur provincial capitol where she was welcomed by Governor Marc Douglas Cagas IV and other local officials from nearby towns in the province.
From the capitol, Robredo joined the Kalinaw Dabaw, the Davao Region People’s Rally, which organizers said was attended by an estimated 6,000 people.
The aspiring president noted she lost in the 2016 elections in Davao, but her office continued to assist those in need in the region. The Office of the Vice President (OVP) provided relief aid during the 2019 earthquake and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Robredo reassured her volunteers that she appreciates their sacrifice and hard work, and that she is “humbled and grateful” by their show of support wherever she goes.
“Syempre (Of course), we value the help of all our volunteers. We think they are doing a tremendous job in helping us in the campaign. Pero kahit iyong (But even the) volunteers we agree na kapag ang suporta galing sa (that if the support came from) local officials, everything else becomes easier,” she said.
She described Partido Reporma’s endorsement as a “big headway” in boosting their campaign.