FROM less than a thousand individuals who showed up for Vice President Leni Robredo during her first visit as an official presidential candidate in City of San Fernando in October 2021, the support grew into a mammoth crowd over the weekend on April 9, 2022, with the staging of the biggest rally yet since the start of the official campaign season.
An estimated of 220,000-strong supporters stood tall for the Robredo and vice-presidential aspirant Kiko Pangilinan despite the vocal support of prominent Pampanga leader former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the tandem’s closest rivals Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte-Carpio.
In her speech, Robredo expressed gratitude for the “overwhelming” support showed by Kapampangans, saying she did not expect such a turnout as she did not win in the province in 2016.
“Noong ako ay nagfile ng candidacy, ang sabi ko sa inyo: Tumindig kayo at makikita ninyo, may titindig sa tabi ninyo. At hindi ako nagkamali. Noong una akong nagpunta dito, kakaunti lang ang aking mga kausap. Bawat balik ko, parami ng parami. Ngayong gabi, eksakto isang buwan bago ang eleksyon, ganito na tayo karami,” said Robredo before the sea of pink supporters.
The lone female presidential candidate said never in her dreams did she think that she will stand onstage before a crowd numbering to more than 200,000.
“Pinaparamdam niyo sa amin, na hindi niyo lang ako mahal, pero talagang napakalaki ng pagmamahal niyo sa taumbayan,” she said.
Robredo added that the sacrifices of volunteers during the Pampanga were a manifestation of their patriotism and their yearning for a reform in the government.
“Siguro kung hinakot kayo o bayad kayo, kanina pa kayo nag-aalisan. Pero tinitiis ninyo ang pagod, ang init, ang gutom dahil uhaw na uhaw na kayo sa mabuting pamamahala at ito ang pagkakataon para isigaw na ninyo: Kailangan na natin ng pagbabago,” she said.
Robredo expressed appreciation on the volunteerism shown by Kapampangans that pulled off such grand event, which showcased the creativity, artistry and talent and unity of locals.
She particularly lauded the colorful and artistic welcome arch, the three giant lanterns especially made for her, Pangilinan and their senatorial slate, and the various Kapampangan crafts and treats brought and shared voluntary by and among attendees.
“‘Diba ito ang tunay na pagbabayanihan? Ito ang tunay na pagmamahal na ninanais natin para sa ating bayan. Ito ang tunay na pagkakaisa. Pagkakaisa hindi ng interes ng mga pulitiko pero pagkakaisa ng taumbayan na dala ng pagmamahal para sa bayan nating Pilipinas,” Robredo said.
Despite her political loss in 2016, Robredo said it did not stop her from personally visiting and bringing the programs of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in Pampanga.
Among the programs that benefitted Pampanga are the Vaccine Express to San Fernando twice during the pandemic, and helping out with medical assistance of P10.5 million, as well as the distribution of PPEs, antigen tests, and medical supplies to 47 different medical institutions all across the province.
From livelihood programs for farmers in Floridablanca and Lubao, to setting up community learning hubs in Magalang and Guagua, to giving tablets to students in Mabalacat and Angeles, to helping out of school youth in Mexico, the OVP has helped the province in so many ways.
“Ang obligasyon namin: dapat kami maging lingkod-bayan sa kahit anong kulay. Ngayon, marami sa inyo naka-pink pero pag ako naging Pangulo, magiging Pangulo hindi lang ng mga naka-pink pero magiging Pangulo ako ng lahat na kulay,” Robredo said.
Prior to the grand rally in the capital city, supporters also showed up at the Angeles City People’s Rally.
The opposition candidate also met with business leaders of the province’s medium-sized and large companies at the Residencia Romero in the City of San Fernando.
Led by Rene Romero of the Romac Group, they declared their support for both Robredo and her running mate Pangilinan, making it the first time for a group of businessmen in Pampanga to make their choice public.
Mayor Edwin Santiago raised the hands of both Robredo and Pangilinan at the grand people’s rally.
“Nagkaisa po ang mga Fernandino, Kapampangan at Pilipino. Ang mga Kapampangan ay naniniwala sa pagbabago, pagbabago bunga ng gobyernong tapat, pagbabago para sa ating mga anak at sa susunod na henerasyon,” he said.
Santiago recalled that he was one of those who were convincing Robredo to run for president sometime in March 2021.
“Ang sabi ko po sa kaniya, mag-file lang siya ng candidacy maraming tatayo at tataya para sa kaniya. Ngayong araw na ito ay patunay na kapag tumindig ka, may titindig sa tabi mo. Ang unang tumindig, ang pinili niyang maging bise, ang ating kababayan, Senador Kiko Pangilinan,” he said. (Princess Clea Arcellaz)