Vice President Leni Robredo met with House Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, his family, and some local politicians belonging to the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines (CDP) in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (VP Leni Media Bureau)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Vice President Leni Robredo consolidated her support among Northern Mindanao political leaders as her rivals barnstorm other parts of Mindanao this week.
Robredo held meetings with a host of politicians on Wednesday here ahead of sorties in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur on Thursday and Friday.
Robredo first met with reelectionist Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, president of the Centrist Democratic Party (CDP), who earlier endorsed her presidential bid, and his local allies.
After the 30-minute meeting, Rodriguez said they are emboldened by Robredo’s commitment to prioritize major infrastructure in Mindanao to boost the region’s economic competitiveness.
Rodriguez told reporters that, in return, he committed to convincing Mindanao legislators to throw their support behind Robredo’s candidacy.
He added that there have been new breakthroughs in efforts to haul local politicians in Mindanao into their fold. The CDP has an alliance with local political groups in Cagayan de Oro and Rodriguez said he will also convince them to support Robredo.
Rodriguez is among the conveners of the ROSA 2022, a movement pushing for the alternative tandem of Robredo as president and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as vice president.
After Rodriguez, Robredo next met outgoing Bukidnon Rep. Malou Acosta-Alba. Both Alba and her politically estranged brother Neric Acosta, have endorsed Robredo.
Alba’s husband is squaring off with Acosta for congressman of Bukidnon’s first legislative district. Acosta is scheduled to have a separate meeting with the vice president.
Separate meetings are also set with outgoing Misamis Oriental Rep. Juliette Uy and outgoing Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno, both of whom are rivals for the gubernatorial seat.
READ: ‘Leni can unify the people,’ says Cagayan de Oro mayor
At the start of the week, the UniTeam of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio held rallies in Central Mindanao, the Davao Region, and some parts of Northern Mindanao.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso was also in a sortie in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Iligan City. His rally in Marawi City was called off due to some kinks in the relations between campaign strategist Lito Banayo and local organizers of Aksyon Demokratiko.
Another presidential aspirant, Senator Panfilo Lacson, was in Zamboanga City on Wednesday, Marh 30.
RELATED STORIES
Warm Davao del Sur welcome surprises Leni Robredo
Rights victims in Mindanao see hope for justice in Robredo