ILOILO – Drum beats, pink ribbons and flaglets on major roads and an excited crowd greeted presidential aspirant, Vice President Leni Robredo in her visit to the city and province of Iloilo yesterday.
“Sobrang overwhelming. Hindi namin in-expect na ganito ka grabe (ang pag-welcome),” Robredo told Panay News.
Robredo was with her running-mate, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, to meet supporters, local officials and beneficiaries of the “Angat Buhay” program and other livelihood projects.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa lahat na nag-abang sa kalsada at sa mga pinuntahan namin. ‘Yon po ang nagbibigay sa amin ng lakas,” said Robredo.
She thanked Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and his father, former governor Arthur Sr., Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas, Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon, mayors from various towns, and other local officials for openly supporting her presidential bid in the May 2022 elections.
“Alam po naming hindi siya madali given the current political realities. Ang pagsuporta nila spells a lot of difference para sa amin ni Sen. Kiko and the entire slate,” said Robredo.
She recounted how the Ilonggos poured her votes when she ran for vice president in 2016 despite being a fresh face.
“Madamo nga salamat sa daku nga boto nga nakuha ko sa inyo,” she said.
In 2016, Robredo got 743,000 votes in the province, while the candidate who came in second got over 100,000.
In Iloilo City, Robredo had around 147,000 votes, while the other got 43,000.
Robredo commended the leadership of Defensor and Treñas, saying Iloilo is home to smart voters.
It may have also been the reason why Iloilo keeps on progressing, according to Robredo.
“Kayo po ang aming inspirasyon para lalong pagbutihin ang aming paninilbihan, lalo na sa ‘pinapakita ninyo na kung seryoso ang leadership na ayusin ang pamamahala, ramdam ng lahat at lahat nakikinabang,” said Robredo.
DISTINCT EMPOWERED WOMEN. These are the women of Zonta Club of Iloilo City II and the 2nd Zonta Women of Distinction Awardees with Vice President Leni Robredo as guest of honor during Friday’s awarding ceremony at Richmond Hotel, Megaworld, Mandurriao District. This year’s awardees have shown exemplary and distinct contribution in their respective fields. They are Ninda A. Atinado (Environmental Sustainability and Beautification of Iloilo City), Annabelle Rosario S. Blancaflor (Public Service), Dr. Marovi A. Celis (Community Safety Advocacy), Dr. Mary Jane G. Juanico (Medicine), Maritess E. Lim (Volunteerism), Natalie U. Lim (Hospitality), LTC Imelda L. Nadala (Military Service), Dorothy S. Tarol (Education), and Rosalie S. Treñas (Community Champion). 
Robredo said the campaign period for national candidates has not yet started, so she could not ask for help this early. She vowed to go back here soon.
Robredo said Iloilo is one of her most visited places in the Philippines since she took office as vice president.
At the height of the pandemic, despite of the meager funds, her office extended assistance to the Western Visayas Sanitarium in Santa Barbara, Western Visayas Medical Center and molecular laboratory in Iloilo City. It also provided personal protective equipment (PPEs) to district hospitals in Iloilo.
Meanwhile, former governor Arthur Sr. said Iloilo is not losing hope to find a “genuine leader.”
“Mga palangga ko nga mga alkalde, mga kasimanwa ko, sa liwat tagaan ta sang bag-o nga higayunan nga mapadayun ang progreso sang syudad kag probinsya. Tagaan kita sang bag-o nga kahigayunan nga makakita sang bag-o nga lider, matuod-tuod nga lider, matuod-tuod kag matinlu nga lider, mapisan nga lider, maalam nga lider, tuod nga lider sang imol, tuod nga lider sang Pilipino,” he said.
“Sa madason nga tuig ang lider nga makita naton, (si) Vice President Leni,” the former governor added.
Gov. Defensor also thanked Robredo for her programs in Iloilo.
“Padayun naton nga palanggaon si Vice President Leni Robredo. Kon ano ang inyo pagpalangga kay Vice President sang nagligad, dugangan ninyo pa gid. Dapat naga parangralapaw ang pagbulig kag pagpalangga naton,” said Defensor./PN
