Robredo returns to roots as LP goes to Bicol

Supporters await the arrival of administration candidates in front of Iriga City Grandstand. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

IRIGA CITY—Now, it’s administration vice presidential bet Leni Robredo’s turn to pay homage to her roots.

After kicking off the Liberal Party campaign in the hometown of standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II in Capiz, administration candidates and their “most important campaigner” President Benigno Aquino III visited Robredo’s home province in Camarines Sur.

“In the same way that Roxas City was Mar’s hometown, Naga is Leni’s. Their dreams of helping all Filipinos began from dreams of helping their neighbors. We chose Naga and Roxas City because of the symbolism of them returning home before embarking on the greatest journey of their lives thus far,” coalition spokesperson and Akbayan Rep. Barry Gutierrez said in a statement.

“We seek the blessing of their families, neighbors, and friends as they serve the entire Filipino nation for the next six years,” Gutierrez added.

READ: Fiesta-like atmosphere in Capiz as Roxas, Robredo start campaign

The two-day campaign blitz started on Friday morning in Ragay where around 2,000 supporters welcomed Roxas and the Camarines Sur Representative.

In the afternoon, President Aquino and the “Daang Matuwid” coalition bets will be in a gathering held in Iriga City Gym and at Plaza Quezon in Naga City in the evening.

On Saturday, the administration bets will visit Masbate province and cities of Tabacco, Ligao and Legazpi in Albay Province which is led by Gov. Joey Salceda, an LP ally.

Unlike in the Capiz and Iloilo sendoff for the Daang Matuwid coalition, there will be no more motorcades this time.

READ: Whoever becomes president, Robredo vows to be hard-working VP

Bicol roots 

Robredo will be competing with three Bicolanos—Senators Chiz Escudero, Antonio Trillanes IV and Gringo Honasan—in the vice presidential race.

But with her current standing in the surveys, Robredo is hopeful that her voter preference ratings would continue to shoot up.

Robredo got the biggest gain in the latest Laylo survey with an increase of nine percentage points in January to 20 percent. The lawmaker placed third after Escudero and Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Not only Robredo but former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima traces her roots to the vote-rich Bicol Region.

A native of Iriga City, De Lima served as an election lawyer before she took on the role as the Commission on Human Rights chair in 2008. In 2010, she was appointed as justice secretary. CDG

READ: FVR: Support for Leni Robredo ‘sincerely given,’ no strings attached