DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Presidential aspirants Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso and Senator Manny Pacquiao staged proclamation rallies in their home cities on Tuesday.
Robredo in Naga
Photo from Vice President Leni Robredo Facebook page
Vice President’s proclamation in Naga City, Camarines Sur drew hundreds of thousands on Tuesday, which began with a sortie in the city before heading to Magsaysay for the rally.
Robredo, who was a public interest lawyer before turning to politics after the death of her husband, Naga Mayor and local government undersecretary Jesse Robredo, promised a governance that will look after the welfare of the poor.
“Isang pamahalaang magmamadaling sumaklolo ‘pag dumaing ka, makikipagpuyatan para mapaginhawa ka, lulusong sa baha para iahon ka (A government that would come right away to the rescue if you are in need, that would stay up all night to improve your life, that would wade through floodwaters to save you),” she said.
Robredo, known for her clean track record as based on the Commission on Audit, wants to rebuild trust in government and promise to go after corruption.
She paid tribute to her late husband with the statement “Susuotan natin ng tsinelas ang gobyerno at patatawirin sa mga pilapil papunta sa iyo. Sa ating pamamahala, laylayan ang magiging bagong sentro (We will let the government put on slippers and walk through embankments to you. In our governance, the margins will be the new center).”
The ‘tsinelas’ is in reference to her late husband, Jesse, who is known to wear slippers going around the city as mayor for nine years.
Robredo was joined on stage by running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan, senatoriables Chel Diokno, Teddy Baguilat, Dick Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Alex Lacson, Sonny Trillanes, and Sonny Matulac.
Lacson in Cavite
Photo from Sen. Panfilo Lacson Facebook page
Lacson held his rally at Imus Grandstand, Cavite and was joined by his running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
Cavite, Lacson’s home province, previously shown its support for Lacson and Sotto when they were running for senators.
There were estimated 4,000 supporters and allies at the event, as organizers set limit due to public health and safety protocols. The rally was also livestreamed on Lacson’s official Facebook page.
Members of their senatorial slate, namely former national police chief Guillermo Eleazar, former Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario, and Dr. Minguita Padilla as well as former Senator JV Ejercito and former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol joined them on the campaign.
Senator Richard Gordon and former Senators Loren Legarda and Francis “Chiz” Escudero were not able to attend the proclamation rally personally but sent video messages to support Lacon-Sotto’s tandem.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and former Senator Gringo Honasan were represented by their wife and sister respectively to give their support for the campaign.
Their platforms include good governance and anti-corruption. The tandem also hopes to restore the public’s trust in the government.
In a recent Pulse Asia presidential poll, Lacson ranked fifth among the other candidates.
Isko in Manila
Photo from Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso Facebook page
Presidential aspirant Isko Moreno Domagoso and Dr. Willie Ong staged their rally at the Kartilya ng Katipunan located beside the Manila City Hall. Senatorial candidates Samira Gutoc, Carl Balita, and Jopet Sison joined the campaign.
Before the event, Moreno and Ong held a motorcade around the city. According to the camp, some 5,000 motorcycle riders clad in blue t-shirts joined the caravan.
Prior to the motorcade, Moreno started the day with a mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Sto. Nino de Tondo in Manila City.
Moreno again highlights his life experience as a boy in the slums of Tondo rising to the leading the city as mayor.
Moreno and the other candidates under the Aksyon Demokratiko reiterated his track record in the city, ranging from public housing projects, field hospitals, public school buildings, vaccination campaign, free testing and medicine.
Moreno is running on a ten-point economic platform that focuses on life, livelihood, education, and addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just as President Rodrigo Duterte did in 2016, Moreno eyes to be the next mayor to win the presidential seat to replicate what he achieved in Manila all over the country should he win as president.
Pacquiao in General Santos
Photo from Sen. Manny Pacquiao Facebook page
Manny Pacquiao, running under the Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives (PROMDI), officially launched his 2022 campaign in his hometown General Santos City at the Oval Plaza.
Pacquiao want to inspire the people about his life from being a poor son of Mindanao to a world champion boxer-turned-politician.
“Sisiguraduhin ko ang bawat Pilipino may trabaho at hinahanap ng trabaho at sisiguraduhin ko sa inyo na walang mahirap na inagrabyado at inaapi (I will make sure every Filipino will have a job, we’ll provide them jobs, and I assure you no one will be aggravated or exploited),” he said.
Pacquiao said Filipinos will receive a lot of services from the government should he win the presidential seat. This includes free housing, free gadgets for students and teachers, free education, free medicines and hospital services.
Pacquiao’s running mate, Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, did not attend the rally as he injured his foot. He sent a video message for the rally.
Two members of his senatorial slate, broadcaster Raffy Tulfo and former Eastern Samar governor Lutgardo Barbo were at the rally.
According to Pulse Asia survey, the youngest presidential candidate this year at 42 is far off the winning range at only 8% . — report by Jan Gargallano (davaotoday.com)
