Like in previous campaign sorties, where ordinary Filipinos and laborers raise the hands of vice presidential aspirant Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan as a symbol of support, security guards in Cavite did the same on Sunday, April 24.

The security personnel joined Pangilinan on stage after his speech at the 36th anniversary of the Corporate Protection Services Philippines, Inc. (CORPS) to raise his hands, to signify their support to his vice-presidential bid.

Since the emotional symbolic raising of hands of the senator in Pampanga by a group of farmers, ordinary Filipino laborers have followed suit in a bid to boost the lawmaker's candidacy.

It came after Pangilinan was brushed aside by politicians endorsing his running mate, Vice President Leni Robredo. It even led him to skip one of their team's grand rallies after learning that he will not be part of the endorsement of local leaders in Eastern Samar.

In Sunday's event, the group of security guards from CORPS and National Association of Professional Security Officers and Guards (NAPSOG) expressed their support to Pangilinan because they believe that under his and Robredo's leadership, their value to the society will finally be recognized.

"Alam natin na ang security guard sector ay hindi kinikilala, laging mababa ang tingin sa ating mga security guard. Pero darating ang administrasyon, ang gobyerno na 'to na darating sa tulong n'yo, makikilala tayo (We know that the sector of security guards is not well-recognized, we are always being looked down. But with this next administration, with your help, we will be recognized)," NAPSOG President Buddy Robrigado said.

"Ngayon tumataya tayo sa bagong gobyerno, gobyernong malinis at tapat, lalo tayong lalago dahil ito lang na darating na gobyernong ito ang nag-rerecognize sa kahalagahan ng sektor ng security guard (Now, we are betting for a government that is clean and honest, we will further flourish because this upcoming administration will recognize the importance of the sector of security guards)," Robrigado added.

According to Robrigado, who is also the founder of NAPSOG, their organization has about 10,000 members nationwide.

He claimed that the tandem of Robredo and Pangilinan was the only ticket that recognized their sector in this campaign, thus their support to the pair.

Pangilinan said he is grateful for the endorsement as well as to Cavite's constant support since he was elected as Senator in 2001.

During his speech, the aspiring vice president reminded Filipinos to use their "power" as voters in the May 9 elections to vote for the leaders that will prioritize them, not the interests of erring personalities and of other nations.

He also warned about the consequences of electing leaders who do not show up in debates and in key areas that needed support.

"Kapag nanliligaw dapat humaharap 'di ba? Bigay galang ba. Parang mga politiko na hindi humaharap 'pag nililigawan kayo, nirerespeto ba kayo (In courtship, you must show up, right? It's a sign of respect. Like politicians who do not show up when they're courting you, does that show their respect for you)? Pangilinan asked.

"Yung mga hindi humaharap sa mga debate, nagtatago, nirerespeto ba kayo nun? Binibigyan bang kahalagahan kayo bilang botante? Hindi (Those who are not showing up in debates, hiding, are they respecting you? Are they giving you value as voters? No)," he went on.

"So kung hindi humaharap sa botante yung nanliligaw, aba, mukhang may masamang hangarin, may itinatago. Tapos hindi na nga humarap sa kampanya, 'pag nanalo, haharap pa ba yun? Nanalo na, e. Kaya yun ang ating pag-isipan din (So, if the pursuer did not show up to the voters, then, it appears that they have bad intentions, they are hiding something. And after not showing up, when they win, will they still show up when they've already won? So, we must ponder on that)," Pangilinan continued.