Don’t be deceived, ask for 'receipts' — Robredo

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands clad in pink came out to support the election tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan in the vote-rich Cebu Thursday.

The Leni-Kiko tandem, for the first time, held a grand rally in Cebu City since the campaign period kicked off on February 8. Robredo called on Cebuanos to help fight rampant disinformation. 

"Seventy-three days na lang bago mag-eleksyon. Marami po tayong kailangan trabahuhin dahil ang kalaban po natin ngayon ay disinformation,” said Robredo.

Robredo told the crowd at the jampacked quadrangle of Southwestern University-Phinma in Cebu City that "we have to ensure that this election and our decision should not be based on lies". 

"Kaya ang tanong ko sa inyo, meron pa ba tayong energy in the next 73 days para gawin ito? Kasi kung ganito pa kabuhay na buhay kayo hanggang May 9, magtatagumpay po tayo,” said Robredo before the cheering crowd composed of students, teachers and professionals.

Robredo, the lone female presidential candidate in the 2022 polls, said Filipinos deserve an honest and excellent government.

Receipts

Robredo, who won as vice president in Cebu in 2016 elections, hopes that she will repeat her victory in this province in her presidential bid in the May polls.

She said she already has proofs or "receipts" that she fulfilled her promises to Cebuanos when she ran for the vice presidency.

"Kasi yung 2016 kasi noong pumunta ako dito, wala pa akong akong ebidensya ng capacity ko. Parang 'yung pagtiwala sa akin ng tao dito, tiwala na naka base sa hope,” Robredo said.

“Pero ngayon kasi, 'yung pagbalik ko, marami na akong ginawa for Cebu eh. Maraming marami akong projects for Cebu. Marami kaming mga existing projects. Hindi lang during – kasi during the pandemic, 'yun 'yung mas celebrated kasi, meron kaming shuttle buses, merong kaming mga dormitories, 'yung mga swabbing saka mga PPE sets. Pero puwera kasi niyan, from 2016 noong nanalo ako, tuloy-tuloy 'yung projects namin dito,” said Robredo.

Despite its meager budget, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) implemented a total of 276 projects in 41 local government units in the province of Cebu totaling P59.3 million.

The OVP also distributed P20 million to three hospitals in Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Talisay City as part of its Medical Assistance program, as well as 370 sacks of rice worth over P190,000 to Cebu City's homeless as part of its Relief Assistance initiative.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Odette last December, Robredo visited Cebu less than 48 hours after the storm hit. 

The OVP provided affected families in Cebu and other hard-hit provinces in Visayas and Mindanao with shelter repair kits, which they can use to begin rebuilding their homes.

She reminded everyone not to be deceived by politicians who promised without any proof at all. 

“Panahon po ngayon ng kampanya. Marami sa ating manliligaw, huwag po tayong magpapabudol,” said Robredo.

She told the “pink crowd” to always ask for “receipts” from politicians who make promises during the campaign.

“Pero pag meron po sa ating mangako, ang tanungin  po natin, "Asan ang resibo?" 'Pag nagsabi pong, "Mahal ko 'yung mahihirap," ang dapat pong itanong natin, "Noong walang eleksyon, asan ka?" 'Pag sinabi po – 'pag sinabing "Galit ako sa korapsyon," ano ang pruweba mo? Hindi po tayo papayag, hindi po tayo papayag na basta lang mangangako pero wala namang resibo,” the vice president said. 

She said the public should elect leaders that are “matino and tapat” to protect the public coffers.

“Unang-una para pangalagaan ang kaban ng bayan. Pag napapangalagaan po ang kaban ng bayan, mapupunta din siya sa pagtulong sa mga pinaka nasa laylayan. Ang resibo po natin diyan sa Office of the Vice President, kakaunti po 'yung aming pondo. Pero bakit marami kaming nagagawa? Marami po kaming nagagawa dahil malinis 'yung aming pamamalakad,” she said. 

“Wakasan na po natin 'yung bulok at luma na klase ng politika dahil pag hindi po natin siya winakasan, wala naman tayong pagbabagong aasahan,” she added — MITCHELLE L. PALAUBSANON