On the campaign trail: Robredo visits Batangas; loyalties shift among long-serving politicians
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo visited the vote-rich province of Batangas on Thursday, the third day of the campaign period.
Supporters wearing pink shirts and face masks welcomed Ms. Robredo and her running mate, Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan, in Padre Garcia, Batangas.
The opposition tandem also visited Lipa City and the towns of Balayan and Tanuan.
Ms. Robredo won in Batangas in the 2016 vice-presidential race.
Batangas Rep. Maria Rosa “Vilma” T. Santos and her husband, Senator Ralph G. Recto, who are both former members of Ms. Robredo’s political party, are backing the presidential run of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso.
The couple backed the vice-presidential run of Ms. Robredo in 2016.
Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente “Joey” S. Salceda endorsed Ms. Robredo’s bid, but not her running mate.
Mr. Salceda is backing presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for vice president, who is running alongside presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.
He said Ms. Robredo and Ms. Duterte-Carpio will make a good team because they have both shown sound public fund management.
“They make a good combination because they are fiscally responsible. If you look at the projects of Sara and Leni, you can see that both of them are catered to social development. They have so many innovations, like their pandemic response,” he told reporters at a virtual press briefing on Thursday.
Mr. Salceda and Ms. Robredo both come from the Bicol Region. The solon earlier expressed support for Ms. Duterte-Carpio as a presidential candidate before the official filing of applications for the May 9 elections.
Mr. Salceda, as quoted in an emailed statement from Ms. Robredo’s office, told a public event that he was backing the opposition bet not because she was a fellow Bicolano but because her good governance platform is also “good for the economy.”
In 2010, Mr. Salceda left the political party of ex-President Gloria M. Arroyo to support the presidential bid of the late Benigno S.C. Aquino III of the Liberal Party. Ms. Duterte-Carpio is running for vice president under Ms. Arroyo’s party.
Ms. Duterte-Carpio told reporters at a public event that she and Mr. Marcos “will not refuse endorsements whether individually or collectively.”
Ms. Duterte-Carpio, in a statement in mixed Filipino and English sent via Viber by her campaign team on Thursday, said she will “support” Mr. Salceda, who is running for reelection, in “whatever direction he takes in politics. He is a friend — whether there is politics or none.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan
