Presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and running-mate Sen. Kiko Pangilinan made bold promises for an approachable and responsive government to over 280,000 Batangueño supporters who attended the “Barako para kay Leni-Kiko” grand rally in Bauan, Batangas, April 30.
“Hindi kayo mahihirapan humingi ng tulong dahil sisiguraduhin namin na may mga program tayong naka-abang sa lahat ng klaseng pangangailangan na mayroon kayo,” Robredo said in her speech.
Robredo backed this claim by mentioning various programs and operations that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has conducted in response to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Batangas. This is despite its budget being relatively smaller than other offices in the government.
“‘Yun po ‘yung gustong sabihin ng gobyernong tapat, angat buhay lahat […] Hindi lang pangako, pero meron na kaming resibong pinapakita dahil ‘yun na po ‘yung inumpisahan namin sa office of the vice president,” Robredo said.
She also mentioned how the OVP has remained corrupt-free, proven by the highest rating made by the Commission on Audit (COA) for three consecutive years.
Moreover, Robredo expressed gratitude to her supporters in Batangas after the province provided over 500,000 votes during her vice-presidential bid in 2016.
“Kukunin ko po ang pagkakataon [para] magpasalamat sa inyo, dahil noong ako po kumakandito bilang vice president, isa sa pinakamalaking dahilan kung bakit ako nanalo ay ang Batangas. Napakalaki ng boto na nakuha ko dito sa inyo kaya maraming maraming salamat,” said Robredo.
She also asked the mammoth crowd if they could repeat that victory. Attendees chanted, “Do-doblehin namin.”
Meanwhile, alongside Robredo’s assurance of good governance, her running mate, Pangilinan, urged voters, especially those undecided, to select the candidates who respect the public and are willing to face them and present their platforms.
“Pag di humaharap [sa] botante, nirerespeto ba ang botante nung mga nais manalo? […] Dahil napakahalagang humarap pag nanliligaw [sa eleksyon], dahil ibig sabihin, pag humaharap nang tapat, nang totoo, walang masamang hangarin, walang itinatago,” Pangilinan said.
Before the grand rally in Bauan, the tandem also attended mini rallies in Nasugbu and Lemery and a mass at Taal Basilica with supporters and parishioners earlier in the day.
Robredo and Pangilinan were also able to secure the endorsements of the priests from Archdioceses of Lipa, Batangas second congressional district Representative Raneo Abu, and Tuy Incumbent Mayor Randy Afable.
