OLANGO ISLANDS, Cebu—Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas and running mate Leni Robredo took their campaign to the Olango group of islands in Lapu Lapu City on the last stop of their two-day sortie in the vote-rich Cebu province.
By history, Roxas is the first presidential candidate to campaign on the Olango island group which has a total of 19,000 registered voters. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited the province after winning the elections.
READ: Mar Roxas, ‘Daang Matuwid’ coalition try to woo Cebuanos
Roxas and Robredo with their entourage arrived via chopper outside Mini Hoops Dome on the island, while members of the media covering the event had to take a boat to reach the venue.
The administration presidential and vice presidential bets were met with screams and hugs from their Cebuano supporters, most of whom were children. A three-year-old toddler was even seen carrying a white banner saying “Mar Roxas for President.”
Before the senators started arriving, members of a youth group performed a native dance for the crowd under the sweltering heat.
Organizers said they had to hold the campaign rally outside the dome because it couldn’t accommodate more than 10,000 people.
Not all LP senatoriables, however, went to Olango. Accompanying Roxas and Robredo were incumbent Sen. TG Guingona, former Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) chief Mark Lapid, and Cooperative National Confederation of Cooperatives (Coop-Natcco) Rep. Cresente Paez.
When it was Roxas’ turn to give a speech, the crowd chanted “deretso (straight),” which stands for the coalition’s “Daang Matuwid” (straight path) programs and “vote straight” for the LP slate.
Roxas devoted his speech to introducing and endorsing Robredo to the Cebuanos.
One of the main platforms of Roxas and Robredo is to ensure inclusive growth by firming up their connection with the grassroots. RC
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