Vice President and opposition leader Leni Robredo returned to Catanduanes on Tuesday, April 12, securing the endorsement of the island province’s governor and 11 mayors for her presidential bid.
Robredo, who came straight from a La Union sortie, attended the #Ca10dunganParaKiLeni: Grand Catanduanes Rally held at the VTC Metrowalk in Virac, where she was warmly welcomed by thousands of supporters.
Despite the rainy weather brought by Tropical Depression “Agaton”, the Catandunganons packed the rally venue to express their support for Robredo and running mate Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan.
The crowd in attendance was rallied by no less than Catanduanes Gov. Joseph “Boboy” Cua and Mayor Peter “Bosste” Cua, who both endorsed Robredo’s candidacy.
Mayor Cua, who serves as the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines - Catanduanes Chapter, said all 11 mayors in the province are backing the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem.
He also promised Robredo that Catanduanes would deliver “overwhelming votes” for her and Pangilinan in the upcoming May polls.
“Ma'am Leni and Vice Kiko, nasisiguro niyo po na ang Catanduanes ay magbibigay ng overwhelming votes sa inyo (You’re assured that Catanduanes would give you overwhelming votes),” he said, as the crowd erupted into cheers.
Like in previous rallies, the rains stopped and the skies cleared again when Robredo took the stage to deliver her speech.
In her message, Robredo reminded supporters of how valuable they are to the people’s campaign, and how grateful she is for all that they are doing.
She also mentioned she has visited typhoon-prone Catanduanes multiple times during her term as vice president to provide calamity relief and assistance.
A sign caught Robredo’s attention as she began reading the witty placards, a staple in the presidential bet’s rallies: “VP Leni, kailangan talaga namin dito ng liwanag sa dilim kasi palaging brownout (we really need here light in darkness because it is always brownout).”
If she wins the presidency, Robredo promised that she would prioritize addressing the issue of electricity in Catanduanes and the rest of Bicol region.
"an ang isa sa maipapangako kong tututukan natin. Tututukan natin ang problema sa kuryente dito sa buong Bicol Region (That’s one of those I promise to focus on. I would focus on the electricity in the entire Bicol region),” she said.