In Pampanga, not politicians but a group of farmers raised the hands of vice presidential bet Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan to show support and to thank him for being an advocate of the agriculture sector.
The farmers from San Simon, Pampanga joined Pangilinan on stage for the symbolic raising of hands which local politicians often do as a sign of endorsement or declaration of alliance with national candidates.
"Leni-Kiko tayo! Kahit may trabaho kami, pinilit naming pumunta dito. Wala kaming bayad! Gagawin natin kung ano ang tama! (We are for Leni-Kiko! We showed up here even though we still have work to do. We are not paid! We just want to do what is right!)" a representative of the farmers said.
It was an emotional moment during the Manalakaran People's Rally in San Fernando on Saturday, April 9, and for Pangilinan who was in tears when the farmers showed up to support him.
"Sila po ang mga ipinaglalaban namin ni Vice President Leni para ma-iangat ang buhay nila, ng ating mga magsaska at mangingisda (They are the ones that Vice President Leni and I are fighting for. We want to uplift their lives, the lives of all our farmers and fishermen)," the vice-presidential candidate said.
Pangilinan was recently being shoved aside by local officials who have decided to endorse only standard-bearer Vice President Leni Robredo's candidacy.
While Pangilinan already said he understands the decision of the local leaders, he believes that the will of the people will prevail over any other political endorsement.
"Mayroong ilang mga pulitiko, hindi nating maaring i-pwersa sa kanila. Syempre, karapatan nila yun na hindi suportahan yung buong tandem. Hindi po naitn yun ipagkakait sa kanila (We can't force all politicians. Of course, they have the right not to support the whole tandem and we will not deny them that right)," Pangilinan noted.
"Kailangan natin ng mga suporta ng mga pulitiko at kandidato pero sa huling banda ang pinakamakapangyarihan sa lahat sa araw ng halalan ay ang mga botante. Kayo, ang taumbayan, ang pinakamakapangyarihan sa lahat (We may need the support of the local leaders but on election day, the voters are the most powerful)," he continued.
"Gamitin natin ang ating mga kapangyarihan sa tamang paraan dahil tayo ang magpapasya, tayo ang magsasabi kung sino ang maluluklok sa pinakamatataas na posisyon sa gobyerno (Let us use our powers in the right way because it is up to us to decide who will be in the highest posts of the government)," he said.
During the Eastern Samar Grand People's Rally last March 29, Pangilinan was visibly absent after learning that local leaders were willing to endorse only Robredo.
This is not the first time local officials endorsed Robredo and not Pangilinan. Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco also endorsed Robredo alone while Pangilinan was on stage.
Climaco, along with congressmen Rufus Rodriguez and Joey Salceda, launched the RoSa (Robredo-Sara) movement to pair Robredo with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Team Unity of Misamis Oriental endorsed the RoSa movement and reportedly, Cavite Rep. Pidi Barzaga and Dasmariñas Mayor Jenny Barzaga are also supporting Duterte over Pangilinan.