With only two weeks left before the May 9 elections, endorsements of support for presidential contender Vice President Leni Robredo poured in from celebrities, athletes, Muslim leaders, and a rival’s political party members.
The latest declaration of support came from Aksyon Demokratiko Tagbilaran City mayoral candidate Jose Antonio “Toto” Veloso and his slate. Aksyon Demokratiko is the political party of presidential candidate Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
“The success of VP Leni in stirring, inspiring, and rallying people as seen in surveys, social media, and in huge turnout in almost all her rallies are clear manifestations that she has all it takes to become the best alternative candidate that people want her to be,” he said in a statement he and his slate signed and released on social media.
A faction of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), whose standard-bearer is former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. but earlier endorsed Moreno, also jumped ship to Robredo.
“ith VP Leni's exponential surge in survey numbers, with her groundswell support, with news of numerous switchers on the ground, and with everyone's support, we will have the best chance to defeat the survey frontrunner," Abubakar Mangelen said in a statement.
Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Estrellita “Ging” Suansing also declared her support for Robredo, who barnstormed the province on Monday, April 25.
“Isang beses lang dadaan sa buhay natin ang isang Leni Robredo. Huwag nating hayaan na lumipas ang pagkakataong ito. Tanggapin at dinggin natin siya (Only one time someone like Leni Robredo will pass by our lives. Let us not waste this chance. Let us accept and support her),” the lawmaker told her constituents during an assembly in Munoz town.
“Tulungan natin siya na baguhin ang sistema ng ating gobyerno na mabigyang halaga ang mga mahihirap na mga bayan tulad natin. Lalong lalo na ang ating mga kababayan na tila yata nakalimutan na ng ating gobyerno – ang ating mga kababayan na nasa laylayan ng ating lipunan (Let us help her change the system of our government to give importance to poor towns like us. Especially our countrymen who were seemingly forgotten by the government—our countrymen in the fringes of our society),” Suansing added.
On Monday, Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco also formally endorsed the vice president.
“During our most difficult times in Batanes, Leni showed up,” she said upon the visit of Robredo’s youngest daughter, Jillian, at the Basco Provincial Capitol.
Over the weekend, Robredo received the endorsement of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) led by MILF Chairman Al-Hadj Murad Ebrahim along with the candidates of the MILF’s political party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
The Philippine Business for Education also chose Robredo for president, believing that she can best solve the education crisis in the country.
Education Nation, a coalition consisting of 35 organizations and 21 education experts, said Robredo was the only presidential candidate who has a clear plan for education.
Legends and icons of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) gave their support to the Vice President.
Coaches Yeng Guiao and Chot Reyes, and players Olsen Racela, Johnny Abarrientos, and Jojo Lastimosa came out in support of Robredo.