BOGO CITY, Cebu—Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo said Thursday that the huge number of people who still show up in her rallies despite several intentional blockades along the way only proves her supporters’ dedication to back her bid for the Palace seat.

Robredo said she is grateful for the courage of her supporters “who defy the odds” just to fight for her and the country.

She made the pronouncement amid another alleged attempt by local government units to prevent Robredo’s supporters to go to her second grand rally in Cebu, which is expected to gather 250,000 people, by disapproving the permit filed by volunteer buses to ferry people to the area.

“Hindi ito first time na nangyari. Marami nang mga pagkakataon na hininto 'yung mga sasakyan, nagsara ng mga kalye, iba iba 'yung mga panggigipit na nangyayari (This is not the first time that it happened. There were many times when they pulled over cars, closed the roads and other types of bullying and disenfranchisement),” she told reporters after her campaign rally here.

“Pero pinakita ng mga volunteers natin na sila 'yung naghahanap ng paraan to go beyond 'yung mga limitasyon na binibigay sa atin (But our volunteers showed that they would find a way to go beyond the limit that is being given to us),” she added.

Robredo called on government officials to respect their political choice as she lamented that such form of bullying is an “unfortunate” act.

But while she feels saddened about it, the vice president said she is not bothered “in the sense that our volunteers will always have to find a way.”