NEARLY 30 days before the 2022 local and national elections, the team of Vice President Leni Robredo, who is aspiring to be the country's 17th president of the Philippines, visited Tagum City, Davao del Norte on April 7, 2022 for the staging of the Reporma: Angat Buhay ang Lahat Grand People's Rally in Davao Region.
The campaign rally at the Open Grounds of the New City Hall in Tagum City comes exactly two weeks after her recent visit in the region. On March 24, Robredo, along with her vice presidential running mate Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan" attended their first grand rally in the region, through the "Kalinaw Dabaw" in Digos City, Davao del Sur.
Meanwhile, the Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma (Partido Reporma), headed by Davao del Norte Representative president Pantaleon Alvarez, announced that they are giving their full support to the candidacy of Robredo.
"Buntag na! Gising na, Mindanao, mag-Leni na kita (It is a new morning and it is time to wake up Mindanao! Let’s support Leni)," Alvarez said while urging all Mindanawons to give their support to Robredo.
"Sa kadako sa problema sa Pilipinas, nagkinahanglan ta og isa ka kakugihan nga inahan na dunay tinuod na pagbati sa katawhan. Mga igsoon ko, tabangan nato, suportahan nato nga umaabot nga presidente sa Pilipinas (With the big problems the Philippines is facing, we need a dedicated leader, with a motherly touch, who was a sincere concern for the public. My brothers and sisters, let us support our next president in the Philippines) --- Leni Robredo," Alvarez said.
Robredo, during her speech, said she never imagined that she would be able to reach out to her Dabawenyo supporters, considering the region is a bailiwick of the current administration and her rivals.
"Hindi ko man lang naisip na magkakaroon ako ng pagkakataon na makausap ang mga Dabawenyo... na ganito karami ang ating kaharap (Never in my wildest dreams that I would be able to speak in front of Dabawenyos... with this large number on the crowd)," she said.
The Vice President said she will take the opportunity to share the kind of governance she would want to push.
"Lagi po nating sinasabi na ang ating pangako: gobyernong tapat, para angat buhay ang lahat (I always reiterated my promise of a sincere government to uplift the lives of everybody)," she said.
"Pero ano ang gustong sabihin niyan? Sa isang gobyernong tapat, pinapangako natin mga public servants na matitino at masuhay (But what does it mean? In a sincere government, I pledged that the public servants are smart and competent)," she added.
Before she stepped on stage, Robredo said she had the opportunity to talk to some farmers, who raised their concerns and struggles.
"Marami akong nakausap, maraming kahirapan na pinagdaanan ng ating mga magsasaka. Napakababa ng presyo ng produkto nila, pero napakamahal ng inputs, napakamahal ng mga bilihin. Halos wala nang kinikita ang ating magsasaka (I was able to speak to many farmers, wherein they shared the struggles they face in farming – low price of their products, but with costly inputs, along with the high cost basic commodities. They are not earning anything)," she said.
With this, the presidential candidate vowed to prioritize the farmers in her administration for the next six years, if she would win in the May 2022 elections.
She also recalled how her office also extended assistance to the region in times of calamities and emergencies such as typhoons, earthquakes, and even in the time of Covid-19 pandemic, despite not getting much support here during the 2016 elections.
Robredo said if she wins in the upcoming elections, she will continue to help other areas without any policial colors.
“Pagkatapos ng eleksyon dapat hindi na natin tinignan ang mga kulay (After the elections, we should no longer look at each other’s political color)," she said.
Robredo was joined on stage by Alvarez, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, and Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon. Her Tropang Angat senatorial candidates were also present during the event, namely Sonny Matula, Alex Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Chel Diokno.
During the Reporma event, the party, who supported the vice presidential candidacy of Senate President was also felt during the event. Sotto was represented by comedian and fellow Eat Bulaga host Allan K, and comedian Ate Gay. Partido Reporma's senatorial candidate Monsour del Rosario was also present to thank Dabawenyos for their warm welcome.
Ang Probinsyano Partylist was also present during the rally. Moira dela Torre, along with her husband Jason Marvin, serenaded the crowd.
The rally ended with a grand fireworks display to cap off the event. (Sponsored content)