MANILA, Philippines — The de Venecias of Pangasinan, including patriarch, Lakas-CMD co-chair and former House speaker Jose de Venecia, have endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential bid in the 2022 national elections.
During Robredo’s rally on Friday night in Dagupan City, de Venecia and his wife, former Pangasinan Rep. Gina de Venecia, along with their son incumbent Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia, raised the hand of Robredo to endorse her candidacy.
Aside from the clan, several Pangsinan town mayors including Binmaley Mayor Sammy Rosario, Bani Mayor Cothera Gwen Palafox-Yamamoto, and other local officials have also announced support for the Vice President.
“VP Leni aaminin ko po, hanggang sa kadulu-duluhan, bago pa ako tumuntong sa entablado, ako po ay punong-puno ng takot at pangamba. Pero awit nga ng ating kaibigan na si Ebe Dancel, sa pagkumpas po ng kamay ni VP Leni ang ating landas ay ginagabay,” the younger de Venecia said in his introduction of Robredo.
“Siya po ang nag-iisang tiyak sa isang libong duda, at masaya po ako na sa wakas, nahanap na po natin si VP Leni. VP Leni, kitang-kita po ang dagat na kulay pink na nasa harap ninyo ngayon. Ang dagat na kulay pink na humuhugot ng lakas kay Urduja, at sa bawat isa sa mga Pangasinense,” he added.
De Venecias have been known as key and longtime members of the Lakas-CMD party, which is endorsing Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for vice president. Duterte-Carpio’s presidential candidate is former senator Bongbong Marcos, Robredo’s opponent in the 2016 and 2022 polls.
During her speech, Robredo thanked local officials who came out to endorse her, despite seemingly going against the trend.
“Maraming mga local officials ang nahihirapan na openly i-endorse tayo dahil merong mga pagkatakot. Kaya po ako sobra kong naa-appreciate ‘yong mga local officials na tumindig po para sa atin ngayong gabi, lalong-lalo na po dahil nasa Pangasinan sila, doble ang lakas ng loob na kanilang ipinamalas,” Robredo said.
Pangasinan is part of Ilocos Region, a known bailiwick of the Marcoses that’s often referred to as “Solid North”. In fact, in the 2016 vice presidential race when the two presidential bets faced off, Robredo lost badly in Ilocos Region — Marcos got 1.764 million votes while Robredo only managed 297,974 votes only.
In Pangasinan, Marcos got 813,709 votes while Robredo only managed 260,694 votes.
“Alam niyo naman po no’ng nakaraang eleksyon, napakalaki ng talo ko dito sa inyo,” Robredo said while heaving a slight chuckle — to which the crowd responded by saying that they will vote for her this time.
“Pero sa akin po, kaya ko lang siya sinasabi, dahil gusto kong ipaalala sa inyo, na kahit napakalaki po ng talo ko dito, kinalimutan ko ‘yan mula no’ng ako ay naging vice president na,” she added.
Presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo is a modern Princess Urduja in the production number prepared by Pangasinenses for Talindeg Pangasinan!: Pangasinan People’s Rally on Friday, April 8, at the CSI Stadia, Dagupan City. Supporters showcased the story of the legendary warrior Princess Urduja, believed to have hailed from the province, through an interpretative dance. (VP Leni Media Bureau)
‘Gave Marcos a chance’
Rosario, one of the local officials who endorsed Robredo, admitted that he was open to the idea of backing Marcos’ presidential candidacy in an effort to mend the wounds of the past.
However, he said that he saw no signs that Marcos would actually admit the sins of his father, late dictator and former president Ferdinand Marcos — who ruled the country for over 20 years, and is being held responsible for human rights violation and massive plunder that left the country’s economy in shambles.
“Alam niyo po ito pong gusto ko: alam niyo po, gusto kong pagbigyan, matagal ko nang inisip ito sa sarili ko, gusto kong pagbigyan ‘yong nangunguna ng survey ngayon, na baka sakaling magbago, pero alam ko ayaw lang aminin kung ano ‘yong lupit ng panahon ng martial law, bakit gano’n?” Rosario asked.
“Gusto kong pagbigyan sana, na bumalik para ‘yong history ng martial law mawawala. Pero kababayan ko po, wala akong matanggap, wala akong makita na ‘yong kanilang ginawa no’ng martial law ay maganda raw ‘yon para sa atin. Kaya tama ang sinabi niyo, Never Again, Never Again,” he added.
Rosario said that he was a victim of the martial law regime, as he was arrested for only making a stand — saying that he was not a member of communist armed movement New People’s Army (NPA).
“Alam niyo po 73 years old na ako, nasubukan ko po, alam niyo po, nasubukan na ‘yong panahon ng martial law mga kababayan ko. Ang sakit sa aming pamilya po ‘yan, dahil alam niyo po, hindi naman NPA, hindi po naman ako komunista, pero naninindigan lang, alam niyo ba kung anong nangyari sa akin?” he relayed.
“Ikinulong po ako noong martial law. Kaya po hindi ko malilimutan po ‘yan, kaya po alam niyo po, Never Again, Never Again,” he added.
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