MANILA, Philippines — Less than a week before the elections, presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo urged voters not to fall for fake news and to check the track record of those running for public office.
Speaking at the grand rally in Dipolog City on Wednesday night, Robredo reminded her supporters that the elections are beyond her and other candidates in their slate.
“We know that something big is at stake in this election,” she said in Filipino. “We will decide what will happen to our country for the next six years.”
She urged Filipino voters to go beyond what local officials say and use their hearts and minds when choosing who to vote for.
“I know that many of you will follow public officials. But you should also look at the beliefs and track record (of the candidates). Do not fall for fake news. How do you know that I will fulfill my promises, especially since all politicians are making promises? Look at my track record,” Robredo said.
As Vice President, she noted how she spent most of her time in communities to address the needs of those in the disadvantaged sector.
“If you are a public official, you should spend every hour serving your constituents. I do not do this for the campaign. Look at our track record. Whether there is an election or not, this is how hardworking we are,” she stressed.
“Why is this important for a public official? Because it is important for us to personally feel what you are feeling. This is not something that we experience if we just read a report in our office,” she added.
From Dipolog, Robredo campaigned in Oroquieta and Ozamiz, both in Misamis Occidental, yesterday morning before traveling to Agusan del Sur for a grand rally organized by supporters and local officials.
She will spend the second to the last day of the campaign in her home region Bicol, before the scheduled miting de avance in Makati City on Saturday.
In Bataan, former governor Leonardo Roman confirmed that he is now supporting Robredo’s candidacy – a switch from the support he previously gave to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso.
“I need to respond to the will of the people of Bataan, and this is my personal decision for the upcoming elections,” he said in Filipino.
More than 200 Filipino alumni of Australian universities and higher education institutions also declared their support to Robredo and running mate, Sen. Francis Pangilinan.
They described Robredo and Pangilinan as “two leaders that we can proudly introduce to the community of nations, who have a clear vision for the Philippines, and who can create an enabling environment that would inspire every Filipino to contribute to the realization of that vision.” – Ric Sapnu, Rainier Allan Ronda