Mayors from Vice President Leni Robredo’s native Bicol region have expressed their support for her presidential bid and for her running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan in 2022.
This comes on the heels of the volunteer-driven Joy Ride for Leni that showed immense grassroots support for their candidacies and inspired the nationwide pink caravan.
People danced in the streets, wore bright pink shirts, and waved bright little pink flags even before it was 8 am on Thursday.
Bicolanos rose early to welcome home their native daughter, called out her name and shouted “Laban!” as they made an “L” sign with their hands.
The campaign of Robredo and Pangilinan for the May elections focuses on bringing back good governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people, especially providing livelihood and healthcare in the midst of the pandemic.
Among the Bicol local chief executives backing the Leni-Kiko ticketare Labo, Camarines Norte Mayor Joseph Ascutia and Tabaco, Albay Mayor Krisel Lagman.
Robredo is also set to meet with other Bicol political leaders, including Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, Sorsogon Gov. andsenatorial candidate Chiz Escudero, Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara, Albay board members, Agri partylist Rep. Delph Lee of Sorsogon, local candidates of the Liberal Party, and other political parties.
VP Leni motored from her hometown, Naga City, Camarines Sur to neighboring Albay, particularly Ligao, Tabaco, and Bacacay.
Along the way, the road was filled with residents and campaign volunteers who were all adorned in pink, the Robredo campaign color.
The motorcade passed by coastal towns where fishermen decorated their bancas with pink ribbons to greet VP Leni.
Pink was spontaneously chosen by Robredo’s supporters and volunteers themselves, and was adopted by VP Leni to symbolize hope, empathy, kindness, and love.
The Leni-Kiko campaign is taking shape as a people-led crusade to bring back good governance, honesty, integrity, and decency after years of hate and divisiveness in the country, the group said in a statement.
VP Leni herself has called the campaign a “people’s movement.”
For Mayor Lagman, Robredo has shown her “ability, sincerity, and determination” to help the people especially those in the fringes of society, and it is the same with Pangilinan.
She recalled that VP Leni’s arrival the day after super typhoon Rolly brought extensive damage to the city in November 2020 demonstrated the Vice President’s love and sincerity for the people, particularly her concern for the fisherfolk of San Miguel Island who lost their bancas.
The fisherfolk’s association later received two motorized bancas from the Office of the Vice President.
Mayor Ascutia first met VP Leni as a member of the Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, where he shared the Vice President’s advocacy.
