MANILA, Philippines — Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando and local candidates aligned with him have announced their support to Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential bid for the May 2022 elections, saying that she is the most fit to be the country’s next leader.
In a press conference on Monday, Fernando along with other candidates of the National Unity Party like his running mate for the gubernatorial seat Board Member Alex Castro, were present at the Barasoain Church in Malolos City to express support for Robredo’s candidacy.
“Ikinagagalak ko pong ipahayag sa araw na ito, saksi ang aking mga kapwa lingkod bayan at kandidato ng National Unity Party, gayundin ang ating mga kababayan, na sa mabiyayang patnubay ng makapangyarihang Diyos ay susunod na magiging presidente ng Republika ng Pilipinas, Iginagalang Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo,” Fernando said.
“Let a woman lead, let Leni lead. Mabuhay ang dakilang lalawigan ng Bulacan, mabuhay ang ating kaisa-isang bansang Pilipinas,” he added.
According to Fernando, among the ten candidates, the only female presidential aspirant — Robredo — has been an inspiration for public servants looking to lead the country out of the pandemic.
“Sampung kandidato ang nag-aalay ng sarili upang tumangan sa pinaka-mataas na posisyon bilang Pangulo ng bansa, siyam ang kalalakihan, subalit namumukod-tangi ang isang babae, isang balo, kumbaga solo parent, na bago pa man pumasok sa pulitika ay naging tagapag-tanggol na po ng maralita at walang tinig sa lipunan,” he said.
“Siya ay nanguna upang sa abot ng makakaya itawid tayo sa gitna ng pandemyang ito, insipirasyon siya ng mga patuloy na dumaraming Pilipino lalo na ang mga kabataan na siyang pag-asa at kinabukasan ng bayan,” he added.
Fernando further said that he did not endorse Robredo to get more votes for Bulacan, saying that he had already been leading surveys before his endorsement. Rather, he claims that it was a stand based on principles, and for what he thinks would be better for the country.
“Hindi ko po ginawa ang pag-eendorso na ito upang maka-ungos sa aking mga katunggali o sa aming mga katunggali. Sa tulong, suporta, at pagmamahal ng aking mga kapwa Bulakenyo, ang inyong abang lingkod po ay — ayaw ko na po talagang sabihin ito but actually ito na tayo, ano po, tayo po ay nangunguna sa lahat ng lehitimong survey,” the governor explained.
“Ang aking ipapahayag sa araw na ito ay walang halong ibang motibo, maliban sa pagtindig sa prinsipyo, para sa ikabubuti, like I’ve said, ng ating mga kababayan. Ako po ay taus-pusong nainiwala sa matapat, at mapanagutan at mapagkalingang serbisyo, serbisyo publiko ng lider na ito,” he further said.
Robredo, while not the leading candidate according to presidential surveys last February — she is still second to former senator Bongbong Marcos — has attracted huge crowds during her major rallies.
Last March 7, Robredo toured Bulacan, which culminated in a grand rally at Malolos City which organizers said was attended by 45,000 participants.
So far, the biggest crowd for Robredo’s sortie was in Bacolod City, which drew around 86,000 individuals, according to local government officials.
Bulacan’s endorsement would be important for Robredo, being the fifth vote-rich region in the country, with over two million voters. In the 2016 vice presidential elections where Robredo and Marcos first faced off, Robredo lost by over 190,000 votes.
Marcos is currently the frontrunner in the presidential race, according to recent surveys. Last February, polling firm Pulse Asia said that Marcos got 60 percent of the votes if elections were held from January 19 to 24, 2022. Only 16 percent of the respondents picked Robredo.