MANDAUE CITY, Cebu—Cebuanos had to see to it that this province remains a bailiwick of presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo through a show of force at her second campaign visit on Thursday here by coming in throng, just like before.
Robredo rocked northern part of Cebu, particularly the Bantayan Island and the cities of Bogo and Danao, before ending her day through a grand rally entitled “Ceboom!.”
In her first visit in this province in February, she went to the south.
But why she had to return? Robredo said: It is to show that she would step foot even in the far-flung areas.
“‘Yun ang aasahan nyo ‘pag ako ang naging pangulo (That’s what you’ll expect when I become the president),” the vice president said.
The rejection of One Cebu, the most influential political party here that chose to back the presidential candidacy of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., did not seem to the dampen Robredo’s spirit.
She said there is really “no One Cebu of politicians” but “One Cebu of the Cebuanos.”
“Daog na ta! (We already won!)” the crowd assured her even before she started her speech.
In 2016 elections, Robredo claimed victory in the province after receiving some 807,000 votes. Marcos Jr., who also ran for the vice presidency, ranked third, with only 307,676.
As she capped off the event, Robredo broke away from the traditional endorsement of local politicians.
Instead, her hands were raised—a sign of endorsement—by ordinary farmers, fisherfolk, market vendors and other workers.
“Uban ta Leni! (Come with Leni)” shouted the crowd, which was estimated by organizers to be at 150,000.