People’s rally for Vice President Leni Robredo at the Diocesan Formation Center in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on February 23, 2022. Image from VP Leni Robredo / Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo is looking to win more voters from Mindanao for the 2022 presidential race, as she shifts her campaign down south with a visit to the heart of Central and Muslim Mindanao, along with parts of Zamboanga Peninsula this time.
Robredo on Tuesday will first first visit North Cotabato’s provincial capitol in Matalam before meeting officials and supporters in Kidapawan City. After lunch, the presidential candidate would go to Koronadal, which will culminate in a people’s rally in South Cotabato’s General Santos City.
On Wednesday, Robredo will then visit Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat, meet with supporters in Cotabato and Maguindanao in Cotabato City, before paying a courtesy visit to officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao including Chief Minister Ahod Ibrahim.
There are also plans to visit Basilan and Zamboanga towns, including Zamboanga City before stopping by Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur.
The visit to Mindanao is Robredo’s third during the formal campaign season, after going to Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon, and then over Caraga provinces hit by Typhoon Odette.
The campaign sortie over Mindanao is crucial as recent surveys show Robredo losing in Mindanao, despite being second in the rankings. The Vice President is still behind former senator Bongbong Marcos according to the Pulse Asia survey, as he grabbed 60 percent of the votes if elections were held from February 18 to 23.
Marcos also wins in Mindanao according to Pulse Asia, getting 68 percent of the votes in the area compared to a meager five percent for Robredo.
Second behind Marcos is Senator Manny Pacquiao, who hails from General Santos and Sarangani.
Despite the survey results, Robredo’s campaign remains optimistic of her chances, with her spokesperson Barry Gutierrez saying that the survey has not yet captured the recent massive support for the Vice President.