Robredo urges Negrense supporters ‘to fight’ until May 9

SAN CARLOS CITY – Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo urged her supporters in Negros Occidental to continue the fight until the May 9 elections as the series of the Tropang Angat rallies in Negros Occidental kicked off in this northern city yesterday, Friday, March 11.

Speaking before a crowd of at least 3,000 at the Bishop’s House Compound in San Carlos, Robredo said the upcoming presidential polls are not just about voting for a certain candidate, but one that will determine the kind of governance the country will have in the next six years.

“Kaya po kung ano’ng pinaglalaban natin ngayon sana hanggang May 9 yung paglaban na ‘yun (That is why, whatever we are fighting for today, I hope we will continue to fight for it until May 9),” she said.

Robredo, who was joined by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the rally, said she is glad to see many young people actively participating and encouraged them to convince their parents, relatives, neighbors, and even schoolmates to join their side.

“Pero yung pagkumbinsi indi pakikipag-away. Ang pagkumbinsi radikal na pagmamahal (But the way of encouraging them should not be like a fight. convince them through radical love),” the vice president added.

Robredo also acknowledged the efforts of volunteers who organized the Leni-Kiko peoples’ rallies across the sugar-producing province.

“Dati po pag kami ‘yung kandidato, kami ‘yung mag-aasikaso ng lahat. Kami ‘yung nag-oorganize ng supporters, kami ‘yung nag-aayos ng rally, kami ‘yung nagpapa-imprenta ng mga tarpaulin saka pangkampanya, kami ‘yung nagpapa-imprenta ng mga t-shirt. Ngayon po baliktad lahat (Before the candidates will take care of everything. We organize the supporters, the rally, we print our tarpaulin and other campaign materials, we print the t-shirts. Now, everything is different),” she said.

After the rally here, Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis Pangilinan proceeded to Sagay City and then to the south for the mini-rallies in Kabankalan City, Binalbagan, and La Carlota City.

The Leni-Kiko team capped the day with a grand rally at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City.

Pangilinan’s wife, megastar Sharon Cuneta, led celebrities and entertainers at the grand rally last night with what was described by organizers as a 70,000-strong gathering of supporters.

According to rally organizer Laban Leni Negros Occidental, all gates at Paglaum Sports Complex opened at 2 p.m., but streets surrounding the stadium were closed starting 8 a.m. until the end of the event.* (Nanette Guadalquiver/Arman Toga)