TARLAC CITY — A visibly frail Kris Aquino, the Queen of All Media and scion of the Cojuangco-Aquino clan, made a surprise appearance here at the Puso Tarlac Grand People’s Rally to endorse Vice President Leni Robredo before 50,000 supporters.
Aquino, who was the one to call Robredo on stage, also revealed that she will be represented by actress-endorser Angel Locsin-Arce in the Vice President’s next campaigns.
Despite her sensitive medical condition as she underwent medical procedures recently, the actress-TV host said she cannot let this chance pass by to campaign for Robredo in her family’s hometown province of Tarlac.
“I only found out yesterday na sa Tarlac pala ang rally ni VP Leni, so sabi ko (VP Leni’s rally is in Tarlac, so I said) ‘I’m going and nobody can stop me,” Aquino, who was with sons Josh and Bimby, added.
She quoted her father, democracy icon Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., that “the Filipino is worth dying for.”
Aquino said that it is “worth all the risk” to be in Tarlac to give thanks to the Tarlaqueños who never left their side, “except for you know who.”
While she did not drop names, the crowd shouted “Wala si Cristy (Cristy is not here)!,” referring to Tarlac City Mayor Cristy Angeles who earlier endorsed Robredo’s rival, former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Sorry, sinabihan ako wag makipag-away pero nabwi-bwisit po talaga ako . . . dahil nakakabwisit talaga yung walang utang na loob. Pero deadma na. Deadma na doon (I was told not to fight but I’m really annoyed . . . because lack of gratitude is really annoying. But ignore it. Ignore it),” the controversial actress-TV host, known for her wit and tactlessness, stated.
She shared that when her brother died, she read an unsent letter addressed to Robredo. While she won’t reveal the contents of the letter because it was confidential, the actress and TV host revealed that there was one paragraph that hit her hard.
In the letter, which one may look as a form of endorsement for Robredo, the late President said he can see in the Vice President the vision to lead.
“In other words, sinabi ni Noy sayo ko nakikita ‘yung sincerity at ‘yung ability na unahin ang mga tao bago sarili (Noy said that I can see in you the sincerity and ability to prioritize the people over self),” Aquino said.
“And yung alam nyo po nung nabasa ko ‘yun, sinabi ko sa sarili ko (you know when I read that, I told myself), ‘You have to fight for her dahil sa kanya bilib si Noy. And totoo naman eh, maraming sila qualities na pareho (because Noy admired her. And it is true, they have a lot of qualities in common),” she added.
She extolled Robredo’s silence despite the issues thrown at her, as well as her hard work and simplicity.
“Nakikiusap po ako wag po tayong pumayag na mawala ito (democracy) muli. Ipaglaban po natin ang ating karapatan na never nang bumalik ang diktadurya (I am asking for us not to allow this to be taken away again. Let us fight for our rights that the dictatorship never returns),” Aquino said.
“Hihilingin ko po ito: Sana i-regalo nyo po kay Noy ang boto nyo po sa Mayo (I will ask this of you: I hope you gift Noy your votes this May) please,” she added.
The actress-TV host promised Tarlaqueños that she will personally make sure Robredo will live up to her promise not to neglect Tarlac.
“Huwag nyo sya papabayaan dahil sigurado ako hindi nya kayo papabayaan (Don’t abandon her because I am sure she will not abandon you),” she said before leaving the stage.
Robredo, for her part, thanked Aquino for showing up despite her condition.
It was then her turn to make promises.
The Vice President said that if she wins in May 2022, she will fulfill Tarlac City’s dream of having its own hospital and will “100 percent support the New Clark City” because it will create a lot of jobs in the province.
She highlighted plans to modernize the agricultural sector because it will “transform” the province.
“Pinapangako ko po sa inyo na kapag kami po ang inyong tinulungan, sisiguraduhin po natin na makakamtan nyo yung pangarap nyo (I promise you that if you help us, I will make sure you will reach your dreams),” Robredo said.
In 2016, as an unknown congresswoman from Camarines Sir, she got 243,756 votes in the province.
The Vice President thanked them for trusting her despite only bearing promises back then.
“Ngayon po, mas malakas na ang aking loob humingi ulit ng tulong ninyo dahil matitingnan ko po kayo mata sa mata, masasabi ko po sa inyo na lahat ng pinangako ko, tinupad ko (Now, I am braver to ask for your help once more because I can look you in the eyes, and I can say that I fulfilled all my promises),” she said.