ILOILO City – Iloilo gathered the largest crowds for Vice President Leni Robredo who barnstormed the province and city on Friday, Feb. 25, culminating in a “people’s rally” akin to a rockstar’s concert at the Iloilo Sports Complex, with her supporters dancing, singing and repeatedly chanting her name.
The presidential candidate said she’s been asked if she’s confident that Iloilo will once again give her a win as the province did in the hotly contested 2016 vice presidential race.
“Ang parati ko pong sagot, confident ako na ang Iloilo parating boboto sa tama. Kaya maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagdedesisyon ninyo na each and every time, gagawin ang tama,” Robredo said.
She said the people’s choosing the right leaders is evident in the development seen in the province. Robredo said she told Sen. Franklin Drilon that every time she goes to Iloilo, there’s something new to see.
Robredo said she has always wanted to replicate projects in Iloilo, which were made successful by the unity among its leaders that ensures a smooth rollout of projects.
Robredo, known to be a tireless and hardworking campaigner, started her day in the town Oton where thousands of supporters gathered to meet her even before 7 a.m. She also visited Concepcion, Ajuy, Passi City, Pototan, and Santa Barbara where mini-people’s rallies were held. And her supporters did not disappoint, keeping their energy high at every stop, cheering and showing their love for Robredo, who was accompanied by her three daughters, Aika, Tricia and Jillian.
A grand rally at the Iloilo Sports Complex was the highlight of Robredo’s Iloilo campaign.
It was an all-star cast led by Megastar Sharon Cuneta, wife of Robredo’s running mate, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and former Eraserheads frontman, Ely Buendia.
But Robredo was still the brightest star of the night.
“Ramdam na ramdam ko pa rin ang lakas ng suporta ninyo, ngayon at sa bawat pagpunta ko dito mula nang nagdeklara ako. Pinapatunayan ng pagsisikap ninyo: Ang ipinaglalaban natin, mas malaki pa sa isang kandidato, mas malaki pa kaysa sa amin ni Sen. Kiko. Ang ipinaglalaban natin, ‘yung kinabukasan natin at ng mga anak natin. Ramdam na ramdam ko: Kung ang Ilonggo magpalangga, alisto ipakigbato ang iya pinalangga,” she said.
In her brief speech, Robredo outlined several projects for Iloilo if she is elected President. Among these is the completion of the stalled Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island bridge because the infrastructure will be instrumental for a thriving commerce and trade between the neighboring provinces.
Robredo’s Iloilo rally also marked the 36th anniversary of the People Power Revolution. She shared with supporters her memories of how millions of people toppled the 20-year Marcos dictatorship and how Iloilo celebrated the fall of the dictator Marcos.
“Ang kuwento sa akin, dito mismo sa Iloilo, kahit hatinggabi, nang umabot ang balitang napatalsik na ang diktador, bumukas ang mga ilaw, tumunog ang kampana, at nagmartsa ang mga residente papunta sa Katedral ng Jaro. Ang mga sundalo, nakipagkamayan sa karaniwang tao. Nagyakapan ang mga estranghero,” Robredo said to the audience, many of whom had not yet been born during the EDSA event.
The presidential aspirant thanked her supporters for their unflagging energy reminiscent of the passion that fueled EDSA decades ago.
“Ganitong enerhiya ang muli nating binubuhay ngayon. Ganitong lakas ang muli ninyong ginigising. At sa pagwawagi natin sa Mayo, bibitbitin natin ang mga aral ng nakaraang tatlumpu’t anim na taon: Na pinakamatibay ang pagkakaisa kung nakatuntong ito sa katotohanan at hustisya. Na hindi lang kulay o apelyido ang dapat palitan. Kailangang wakasan ang luma at bulok na uri ng pulitika. Kailangan itong palitan ng sistemang aktibong nakikinig, aktibong hinahanap ang nadarapa para itindig sila,” Robredo said to thunderous applause.
“Ang itatayo natin, sistemang walang palakasan, walang pami-pamilya, dahil lahat nabibigyang lakas, at bawat Pilipino, itinuturing na bahagi ng isang pambansang pamilya,” she said./PN
