Cadiz City Mayor Salvador “Bading” Escalante Jr. said that he is leaning towards supporting Vice President Leni Robredo for president in the May 9 polls.
He decided to publicly express his preference for Robredo’s presidential run following earlier reports that he is rooting for former Senator Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr., Escalante said Tuesday afternoon, March 1.
Escalante also sent the media a photo of him with the late Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo with the caption “Friendship beyond politics. Jessie is one of my political mentors. One of the reasons why I’m leaning towards Leni”.
“But first I have to meet her and this March 11 will be my chance to do so,” Escalante added.
Leni Robredo is expected in Negros Occidental on March 11 for a grand rally.
Escalante was among the four mayors in Negros Occidental who did not attend a meeting with Marcos at Stonehill Suites in Bacolod City on February 23.
His statement also came a day after Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced that he is supporting Robredo’s presidential bid.
Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) and Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon III are supporting Robredo, Escalante said.
The whole Escalante clan is also supporting Robredo, he added.
SARA FOR VP
Escalante said he is supporting Sara Duterte Carpio for vice president as his way of thanking President Rodrigo Duterte for helping Cadiz City.
The mayor said he did not vote for the president and he has some policies that he does agree with, but there are big projects in Cadiz City that have been funded by the national government.
The drug problem in Cadiz City has also dropped under Duterte’s presidency, he added.
The mayor in an interview Tuesday morning said his choice of president was between Robredo and Marcos, but later clarified that he was leaning towards the vice president.
Escalante said he sent Marcos supporters to his rally in Bacolod on February 23, and is also willing to host Robredo if she makes a stop in Cadiz City on March 11.
Presidential candidate Isko Moreno is also expected to make a stop in Cadiz City this March, Escalante said.*