Negros Occidental mustered the biggest crowd yet for a grand people’s rally for Vice President Leni Robredo and her runningmate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, with 70,000 people packing the Paglaum Stadium and adjacent streets in Bacolod City, Friday, March 11.
Robredo, who was met with a rousing welcome from her sea of pink supporters, said “It is clear that this is not just a campaign for the candidates, it is a campaign for our dreams, for all of our loved ones and for a government that can be trusted to uplift the lives of all”.
The vice president said it was fitting that the rally was held at the Paglaum Sports Stadium because “our campaign, is a campaign for hope”.
Robredo said Negrenses made her win by a wide margin in the 2016 vice presidential race and she knows they can achieve this again in the May polls.
There are 59 days more to go to the May 9 polls and the momentum of their campaign is growing stronger, she said.
“Let us work to win this”, she urged the crowd.
If they win in the May polls, they will use all the powers of government to uplift the lives of the farmers, she said, citing the rising prices of farm inputs like fertilizer. Our target is to make these affordable so that farmers can earn more, she said.
She assured sugar farmers that under her administration the sugar industry road map will addressed.
Support will be given to the sugar industry to modernize and diversify in order to become competitive, she said.
She also pledged to work for the restoration of the Negros Island Region to hasten the delivery of services, create more jobs and improve the economy.
They will make sure that the Negros-Guimaras-Iloilo Bridge will be constructed to further boost the economy, she added.
They will also focus on ensuring the distribution of renewable energy down to the community level in Negros Occidental, she said.
Robredo was introduced to the cheering crowd by Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson who called her intelligent, hardworking, helpful, sincere and most importantly one who can be trusted.
Megastar Sharon Cuneta introduced her husband, vice presidential candidate Kiko Pangilinan to the crowd. Cuneta said she was proud of those present at the rally because they are thinking of their future.
“Do not give the Philippines away, do not give your future away. This is your chance to make your voices heard,” she said, to bring decency back to the presidency.
Robredo and Pangilinan will bring back decency, honesty, goodness and fear of and faith in God, Cuneta said.
Pangilinan said their administration would address the high prices of food and hunger, and the problems of farmers and fishermen.
Among the senatorial candidates on Robredo’s slate present at the rally were senators Risa Hontiveros and Richard Gordon, human rights defender Chel Diokno, former Baguio Rep. Teddy Baguilat, and Negrense lawyer Alex Lacson.
The rally that had a fiesta-like atmosphere was capped with fireworks and dancing.
Robredo thanked the Negrense volunteers for the successful grand rally that was beyond their expectations, citing among others former governor Rafael Coscolluela who heads her campaign in the province, and Millie Kilayko and Pinky Mirano Ocampo of the Laban Leni Negros Occidental.
Also present at the rally were mayors Alfredo Marañon III of Sagay City and Salvador Escalante of Cadiz City, vice mayors Justin Gatuslao of Himamaylan City and El Cid Familiaran of Bacolod City, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., and Board Member Rita Gatuslao.*