Despite sudden downpour, thousands still showed their support for presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and her entire slate at the Layag Leni-Kiko people’s rally at the Cesar C. Climaco Freedom Park in Zamboanga City on Thursday night, March 17, 2022 (VP Leni Media Bureau)
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Despite issues and problems hurled their way – including road closures, trip cancellations, mural paint-over, Vice President Leni Robredo is remaining steadfast in pursuing her presidential campaign until the end.
“Meron ba sa inyong kinakabahan? Meron ba sa inyong natataranta? Alam kong hindi kayo ‘yun,” Robredo told a grand rally organized for her and her slate, including rinningmate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, in Zamboanga City on Thursday night. Local government officials said the event gathered around 27,000 people.
(Is there anyone among you who is terrified? Is there anyone among you who is feeling paranoid over the elections? I know that isn’t you.)
“Ipasara man ang mga daan, itigil man ang mga biyahe ng sasakyan, baklasin man ang ating mga tarp, pinturahan at i-vandalize man ang mga mural, sa harap ng kasinungalingan, umaraw man o umulan: Walang kayang pumigil sa nagkakaisang lakas ng taumbayan. Tayo, we show up dahil alam natin ang nakataya sa laban na ito,” she added.
(Whether they close the roads, stop the trips of vehicles, remove tarps, vandalize the murals, in the face of truth, whether the sun shines or not: Nobody can stop the united strength of the people. For us, we show up because we all know what is at stake with this fight.)
Robredo then encouraged supporters to win the elections in May through courage, unity, camaraderie, compassion, and hope.
“Pagkakaisa, pakikiisa, malasakit sa kapwa, pag-asa: Ito ang magpapanalo sa atin. Dahil sa lakas na dala ninyo, hindi tayo magpapagipit, hindi tayo magpapalunod sa pangamba,” she noted.
(Unity, fellowship, showing compassion, hope: these are what would propel us to victory. Because of your strength, we would not be oppressed, we would not let worries beat us.)
To recall, Robredo’s supporters have alleged that road construction and closure projects appeared to have been deliberately set up to prevent them from reaching the venue of the rally in General Trias City, Cavite.
READ: Warm welcome for Leni Robredo in Cavite rally
Her supporters also alleged that a transport company in Negros Island canceled bus trips to prevent them from going to Bacolod City for the rally. The company has denied this, saying they cannot allocate many buses for one trip and leave other routes without a fleet.
READ: Ceres operator disputes alleged trip cancellation: It’s against LTFRB policy
A pro-Robredo mural in Las Piñas City was also erased a few days ago supposedly hours before the caravan of another presidential candidate took place.
READ: Robredo mural erased in Las Piñas
Several campaign materials were likewise ordered removed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), even if the tarpaulins and posters were placed within privately-owned properties. The private property owners raised the issue before the Supreme Court (SC) and asked the high court to stop Comelec’s “Oplan Baklas.”
On March 9, the SC issued a temporary restraining order against the Comelec’s program.