Visiting a community of sewers in Lanao del Sur Friday, April 1, Vice President Leni Robredo asked voters there to give the same support they gave her in 2016 elections which led to her victory.
During a dialogue with the Bamboo Landers Multisectoral Rural Workers Association in Buadiposo-Buntong, Lanao del Sur, Robredo urged the community to help her and her slate win again in this coming elections.
She said that while her victory in Lanao del Sur was marred by allegations of cheating made by her rival former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., she remains confident that what she had in 2016 was a clean victory. This is something she wants to be duplicated in May.
"Noong 2016, nanalo ako dito. Kung naalala n'yo, kinasuhan pa po ako na kinikuwestyon yung resulta dito sa Lanao del Sur kasi nandaya daw ako dito. Kayo yung makakapagsabi, kayo yung makakapagsabi na walang nandaya dito (In 2016, I won here. If you remember a case was filed against me questioning the result of votes here in Lanao del Sur because they said I cheated. You're the ones who can only tell that no cheating has happened here)," Robredo said.
The aspiring president said one of the key factors of her winning in the province is her "constant visits" there. She said she was the only vice presidential candidate who went to the province in 2016.
But this time, she said, aside from the constant visits, she now has the track record to back her up to convince people to elect her.
"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa suporta pero sabi ko po ngayon, kumakandidato ako bilang presidente na. Kung tinulungan n'yo ako noong 2016 na wala pa akong napapakita sa inyo, baka naman tutulungan n'yo ulit ako ngayong 2022 na napakita ko sa inyo kung gaano ko kamahal yung Lanao del Sur (I am thankful for the support but this time I am running for president. If you helped me in 2016 despite me not having anything to show, I hope you can help me this 2022 now that I was able to show you how much I love Lanao del Sur)," Robredo said.
Since 2017, Robredo through the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has implemented various projects to help small communities in the province. She also initiated the establishment of housing for displaced families affected by the Marawi siege.
If elected, the Vice President vowed to visit every single town in Lanao del Sur, saying a president visiting an area is crucial in bringing the necessary assistance down to every community.
Robredo also appealed to the people of Lanao del Sur to give victory to her running mate Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and their senatorial slate.
"I know that you love me because you always make me feel so. But I also want to ask for help because I can do all I want to do if Senator Kiko is my Vice President," she said.
"Kaya po kung tutulungan n'yo po ako, siguraduhin po nating matulungan natin si Senator Kiko saka po yung ating mga Senador. Kasi mahalaga po na pag-upo pa lang, imbes na hindi nagkakaintindihan, trabaho na kaagad yung aasikasuhin, di ba (So, if you're going to help me, let's make sure that we also help Senator Kiko and our senatorial slate. Because it's important to already have a good synergy once we assume post rather than take time to form a it upon assuming posts," she added.
This reiteration from the aspiring president came amid emerging endorsements pairing up Robredo with other vice presidential bets, such as Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.