Vice President Leni Robredo joins Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, Governor Edwin Jubahib, and other local officials in a press conference where they endorsed her presidential bid at the Davao del Norte Provincial Capitol in Tagum City on Thursday, March 24. (VP Leni Media Bureau)
TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — Vice President Leni Robredo has admitted that Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez’s endorsement of her presidential bid is a big boost to her campaign, especially in Davao Region which has been dominated by administration-backed candidates.
Robredo during the press briefing in the city on Wednesday explained that Alvarez’s support is a big help since she lost badly in the area during the 2016 vice presidential race.
“Sobrang laking boost sa ating campaign that we’re getting the support of this part of Davao, lalong lalo na kasi in 2016 natalo ko miserably here. So bago itong… Ang epekto nito, hindi lang dito. Pero I’m sure because of the coming out of Speaker Alvarez, of the local officials here,” she said.
She expressed hope that this would inspire other local bets to also come out and support her.
“Mas maglalakas loob yung ibang local officials to follow suit kasi ganun naman talaga yung laban. Pag nagsisimula ka, medyo dehado, it takes a lot of courage to come out in the open,” Robredo explained.
“I’m just so thankful that Speaker Alvarez and the Governor have been very brave in doing this thing. Even the volunteers have been telling us, “mabuti na lang nagsupport na si ganito kasi mas makakabwelo kami,” she added.
Robredo toured Davao Region on Thursday, initially visiting Digos City in Davao del Sur and then Tagum in Davao del Norte.
She then admitted that having local candidates and officials supporting her actually takes a load off volunteers campaigning for her.
Robredo during the press briefing in the city on Wednesday said that volunteers themselves admit that having local officials supporting takes a huge load off them.
“Malaking malaking bagay siya. Malaking malaki kasi halimbawa dito, without the governor’s endorsement, without Cong. Alvarez’ endorsement, paano kami makakakuha ng suporta from all other local officials?” Robredo asked.
“Syempre we value the help of all our volunteers, I think they are doing a tremendous job in helping us in the campaign, pero kahit yung volunteers will agree na kapag yung suporta galing sa local officials, everything else becomes easier. Talagang sobrang laking headway ito,” she added.
Earlier, Alvarez, president of Partido Reporma, endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo months after supporting the Senator Panfilo Lacson who is also running for president.
READ: Ex-Lacson ally Alvarez confirms: I’m now backing Robredo
Before Alvarez announced her support of Robredo, Lacson confirmed that he is stepping away from the chairmanship of Partido Reporma.
Before the campaign season, only a few candidates have come out to support Robredo. However, as the campaign season neared and rolled, several officials have backed the Vice President — from Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, several Bicol Region officials, and more recently, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernandez.