A crowd of more than 10,000 filled the Guingona Park in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte on Wednesday, March 9 for the Grand People’s Rally for presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. The event concludes Robredo’s two-day barnstorm in Caraga Region. (VP Leni Media Bureau)
BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo capped her two-day sortie in the Caraga Region with a rally here attended by an estimated 10,000 people, mostly youngsters.
The “People’s Grand Rally” at the Guingona Park started at around 4 p.m. with participants being energized by political speeches as well as performances of local artists.
Robredo and her running mate, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, arrived at the rally venue past 7 p.m. after a dialogue with sectoral leaders of Agusan del Norte at the Father Saturnino Urios University.
Drone shot of the grand rally for Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday evening at the Guingona Park in Butuan City. (ERWIN MASCARIÑAS)
Before launching into political talk, the vice president first read messages written on the placards, eliciting cheers that further energized the huge crowd.
Relaxed and in a buoyant mood, Robredo told the rally participants to not only scrutinize the platforms of candidates campaigning for their votes but also examine carefully their track records.
“For one, if they say they are against corruption, ask them for proof. For us in the Office of the Vice President, our proof is the highest audit rating we got from COA (Commission on Audit) for three consecutive years,” she said.
Vice President Leni Robredo and running mate Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in Butuan City.
State auditors have given the Office of the Vice President (OVP) an “unqualified opinion” on its financial reports for fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020. It is considered the best opinion handed by COA to a government agency.
“This means there is no corruption in the OVP,” Robredo emphasized.
She called on her supporters to work harder to convince other voters — be they friends, family, neighbors — to join their fight for a better future for the country.
After Robredo’s talk, alternative band Rivermaya performed the hit song Liwanag sa Dilim which has become an anthem of the ‘Kakampink’ crowd to symbolize their message of the coming of light a country in darkness.
The crowd exploded with the band’s five-song performance as Robredo and Pangilinan gamely autographed items brought to them from the crowd as well as posed for selfies.
Rivermaya lead vocalist and drummer Mark Escueta lauded the participants for being able to resist the “well-funded campaign of deception” and for standing up for what they believe in.
Earlier in the day, Robredo also held rallies in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur and Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
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