Out of the 23 mayors in Eastern Samar, at least 19 of them are backing the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo in the 2022 national election.
Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone and the local chief executives said it was only Robredo who visited their province and helped the people living in the hinterlands in 2014 even before she wanted to be the country’s next president.
Last Tuesday night, Robredo visited the province and met with the local officials to seek their support.
She was greeted by an estimated crowd of 75,000 people.
Along with Eastern Samar Rep. Fe Abunda, those who manifested their support for the Vice President were Jose Ivan Dayan Agda of Borongan City, Rafael Asebias of Quinapondan, Javier Zacate of Sulat, Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan of Guiuan, Godofredo Garado of Maydolong, Gil Norman Germino of Can-Avid, Allan Contado of Balangkayan, Shonny Nino Carpeso of Dolores, Edwin Quiminales of Mercedes, Thelma Nicart of San Policarpio, Melchor Mergal of Salcedo, Heracleo Santiago of Maslog, Gina Ty of Taft, Viviane Alvarez of Oras, Benjamin Ver of Jipapad, Roland Evardone of Arteche, Dennis Estaron of San Julian, Flora Ty of Gen. MacArthur and Gilbert Go of Giporlos.
Abunda is the sister of celebrity host Boy Abunda.
Of all of the presidential candidates, she believes that the best one for the job is a woman.
Earlier, Robredo was endorsed by 20 out of the 24 mayors in Northern Samar, along with Gov. Edwin Ongchuan.
Eastern Samar is one of the top 20 poorest provinces with the highest poverty incident rate in Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.
Robredo compared Eastern Samar to her bailiwick Bicol, citing both as typhoon-prone areas.
She promised to prioritize the improvement of mobile phone signal and power services should she win as president.
