Ex-Sarangani gov Dominguez, ex-legislator Antonino back Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo–INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY——The presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo has drawn the support of two prominent political leaders in the Soccsksargen region.

The latest addition to the growing number of individuals and groups supporting Robredo were Luwalhati Antonino, former South Cotabato representative and chair of the Mindanao Development Authority, and Miguel Rene Dominguez, former governor of Sarangani province.

Dominguez, wearing a pink shirt, introduced Robredo to a huge crowd of mostly youth gathered on Tuesday (March 15) at the Oval Plaza, and endured the heat and rain prior to her arrival, as the “incoming president of the Republic of the Philippines.”

“Tonight, it is important that we, the youth, pick the right leader who can do great for our future in General Santos and Sarangani,” Dominguez, speaking in the local language, said at the rally.

Dominguez, son of former Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Paul Dominguez, and nephew of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, returned to the private sector after serving as governor from 2004 to 2013.

Antonino, wife of former city mayor and South Cotabato representative Adelbert Antonino, also described Robredo as “the next president of the Philippines.”

The Antoninos founded the local political party Achievement with Integrity Movement, which is fielding local broadcast personality Elmer Catulpos, owner of media company Brigada Group, for mayor of this city.

“I am here to appeal for our future, we need to fight for it because the next six years will be difficult for our country. Our country will become bankrupt if we choose the wrong leader,” said Antonino in the local language. She served as South Cotabato first district representative from 1992 to 2001.

Antonino described Robredo as an “honest and capable leader.”

Dominguez, Sarangani’s youngest governor, was the first recipient of the Jesse Robredo Leadership Award given in 2013.

Named after the late Interior and Local Governments Secretary Jesse Robredo, the award honors local executives “who have shown effective, transparent, accountable, participatory, innovative and ethical leadership.”

TSB