MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo got more support from local government executives during her trip to hometown Bicol Region, with Mayor Joseph Ascutia of Labo town in Camarines Norte, Mayor Krisel Lagman of Tabaco, Albay vowing to back her presidential bid.
In a statement on Thursday, Ascutia said that he is picking Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis Pangilinan as they are good examples of ethical leadership in the country.
Robredo and Pangilinan are running as a tandem for president and vice president in the 2022 national elections.
“Sila po ang nakikita ko na isang tandem na talang makapagbabago ng klase ng pamumulitika dito po sa atin sa Pilipinas,” the local chief executive said.
(I see them as the tandem that can really introduce changes in the political system in the country.)
“Si VP Leni at si Sen. Kiko, sila po ‘yung epitome ng good governance and ethical leadership dito po sa ating bansa. At naniniwala po ako na sila ang makakapagbigay ng maayos na panunungkulan dito sa ating bayan,” he added.
(VP Leni and Senator Kiko are the epitome of good governance and ethical leadership here in the country. And I believe that they can provide us with good leadership for the Philippines.)
Lagman on the other hand highlighted that Pangilinan is the best running mate for Robredo, as Robredo’s good traits can also be found in the senator.
“Pagdating sa experience at serbisyo, talagang hindi naman po natin matatawaran ang ginawa na ni Sen. Kiko. Kung ano po ang pagtitiwala natin sa president, pagkatiwalaan ang kanyang napili na maging running mate,” Lagman said.
(In terms of experience and service, we cannot dismiss what Senator Kiko did. Whatever trust we have for the presidential candidate, we should also trust the person she picked as a running mate.)
“Kasi napakahalaga po ang tandem ng president at bise presidente para umusad po ang bansa natin,” she explained.
(Because the tandem of the president and the vice president is important for the country’s progress.)
Robredo is on a trip back to the Bicol Region, which started with her stopping over her hometown of Naga City on Wednesday. From Naga, she moved across the province, where she got a warm welcome from her supporters wearing pink clothing and waving flags.
Despite not having any ambition to be president, she said it is a good chance for the province to elect a president.
“Ang pakiwari ko, dahil hindi ko naman ito ambisyon [ang maging Pangulo], hindi naman siguro ako maitutulak sa ganitong sitwasyon kung walang gustong ipagawa sa akin ang Mahal na Diyos. Ang akin po ngayon, tinitingnan ko na siyang isang malaking pagkakataon para sa Bikol na magkaroon ng pangulong galing dito,” she noted.
(What I think is that because I do not have the ambition to be president, maybe I would not be pushed into this situation if the good Lord does not want me to do anything. I am looking at it as a massive chance for the country to have a president from the Bicol Region.)
Earlier, Robredo visited Tabaco City in Albay and another island barangay in the Bacaycay town to bring a locally-funded project for fisherfolk and weavers in the area.
The projects, which were turned over to the Mapulang Daga Fisherfolk and Weavers Association (MAFWA), will be used to procure circular fish cage, fiberglass boat, fish stocks and feeds, fuel and other materials which would be used for rabbitfish production — seen to increase the income of fisherfolk along Sula Channel by 150 percent.
Lagman said that such projects, including Robredo’s swift assistance given to the Bicol Region provinces after a series of typhoons in October to November 2020 ravaged the area, shows Robredo’s concern for the people.
“Alam naman po natin na NGO worker si VP Leni bago pa sya sumabak sa pulitika na hindi naman nya talaga ginusto. Pero nakita rin po natin na preparado sya sa trabaho kasi ginagampanan nya na (ito) sa ngayon. Kilatisin mo man ang mga kandidato ngayon, sino sa kanila ang tunay na magbibigay sa atin ng hope?” Lagman asked.
(We know that VP Leni was a former NGO worker before she joined politics — a decision he did not want. As you have seen, she has been prepared to do this work because she is already doing it right now. Even if you scrutinize candidates for the elections, who among them provide us hope?)
Just recently, several local officials have also expressed support for Robredo, including Muntinlupa’s Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, the Abueg siblings of Palawan, and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno.
READ: Iloilo city mayor posts photos, comments on social media favorable to Leni Robredo
Robredo is set to meet with the two local chief executives and other Bicol politicians, including Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, senatorial candidate and Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero, Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara, Albay board members, and other bets from the Liberal Party and other political parties.