Major political rivals aspiring for a congressional seat unite in Naga City to endorse VP Leni Robredo as their 2022 presidential bet.
On Monday, January 7, Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado and his challenger, Noel De Luna, wore pink to show their support for Robredo. They shared the stage during the launch of Bikoleni (Bicol for Leni) by De Luna’s Kusog Bikolandia partylist.
Bordado is running under the Liberal Party whose chair is Robredo. On the other hand, De Luna is running under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan, a party allied with President Duterte’s PDP-Laban.
Bordado has openly opposed regulations mandated by President Duterte while De Luna is a recognized Duterte supporter. But come the launch of the event, the two welcomed Robredo into the Isarog Grand Ballroom in Summit Hotel.
In an interview with PhilStar.com, De Luna said that they showed their unity for a Bicolano candidate. “This is our chance to have a Bicolano president come the 2022 national elections.”
Robredo also told reporters that she sees this as a significant move from 2016 national elections when she won by a slim margin. As compared to 2016, Robredo said she is now able to unite different parties and get their support.
Now that she is the lone Bicol candidate, Robredo is counting on the region to get her to the presidential seat. Robredo shared her optimism and said, “We’re expecting that we’ll get a better turnout this time around.”
Robredo’s campaign will begin on Tuesday at Plaza Quezon in Naga City. She will be accompanied by eight of her 12 senatorial candidates.