SOME 20,000 supporters of opposition presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan trooped to vote-rich Quezon City yesterday morning to express support for their tandem.
However, the local government observed violations of COVID-19 restrictions it set.
The “Kakampinks,” some of whom came from other parts of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, attended their candidates’ “people’s proclamation rally” at the Quezon Memorial Circle, turning the park into a sea of pink, the tandem’s signature color meant to signify the people’s call for good governance.
Robredo said over 20,000 people attended the “Pink Sunday” rally from the initial 5,000 that organizers expected but the Quezon City Police District pegged the number at around 7,000.
The city government said the event “resulted in a spillover crowd that violated several restrictions that were mutually agreed upon.” Robredo’s camp apologized.
“We acknowledge the concerns of the Quezon City government, extend our thanks for its vigilance, and take full responsibility. While the organizers ensured that access to the immediate vicinity of the program proper was limited, and that all attendees were advised to bring vaccination cards and observe health protocols, the sheer number of people that arrived was a challenge, for which we apologize. Rest assured the campaign is taking steps to ensure stricter compliance with all applicable regulations moving forward,” said Robredo’s spokesman Ibarra Gutierrez.
Robredo said she told organizers last Saturday not to announce the number of people they expected to attend the rally because she was informed that 5,000 were expected to come.
“Mukhang wala sa aking nakinig kasi noong tanghali na, ‘yung 5,000 naging 10,000 na tapos noong pauwi na po kami nang gabi, lalo akong ninerbiyos kasi ang nakalagay na, 20,000 people expected. Pero mabuti naman pala na hindi sila sumunod dahil ngayong araw po, lampas lampas tayo sa 20,000 people (It seems that no one listened because when it was lunchtime, the 5,000 became 10,000 and when we were on the way home in the evening, I was nervous because they were already expecting 20,000. But it’s good that they didn’t follow my instruction because today, we now have more 20,000 people here),” she told the applauding crowd who were waving pink balloons, ribbons and posters.
Robredo spoke to her supporters from the top of a mini truck.
“If I’m not mistaken, this is my third or fourth rally in QC Memorial Circle. When I was running for vice president, we held three rallies here, including the victory celebration. There were so many people but nothing compares to the number of people this morning),” she said in Filipino.
Because of the number of people, it took an hour for the tandem’s truck to reach the Circle from the nearby city hall where Robredo paid a courtesy call on Mayor Joy Belmonte who did not wear pink unlike some such as Peachie de Leon, Mayen Juico, and Marivic Co-Pilar.
Belmonte, in 2017, left the Liberal Party of which Robredo is now chairman. Belmonte joined the ruling PDP-Laban’s Pimentel wing. In the run-up to the 2019 mid-term elections, she joined joined the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), beating then Rep. Vincent Crisologo, PDP-Laban’s candidate.
18 HOURS
Robredo, obviously taking a dig at Sen. Imee Marcos, sister of fellow presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos whom she beat in the 2016 vice presidential race, explained her earlier statement that she works as long as 18 hours a day. She said she goes to that extent to ensure that no basic sector of the society will be left behind in the delivery of services, especially during the pandemic.
She said in Filipino, “I know many here work more than 18 hours daily but we’re doing it so that we’ll reach more people.”
Imee earlier posted a video skit on her Facebook page showing her having coffee with friends and mocking “Len-Len’s” 18-hour workday claim.
Imee, who also said “anyone who claims to work 18 hours a day is either lying or stupid,” seems to have forgotten that she, herself, had claimed in 2017 that four hours of sleep was enough for her because she was working most of the time.
Robredo also said that while the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has a meager budget, its projects have been receiving funding from the private sector after gaining the public’s trust and confidence. She pointed to the OVP’s certification from the International Organization for Standardization and the highest audit rating it received from the Commission on Audit for three consecutive years.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said candidates are abiding by the Commission on Elections resolution that prohibits, among others, physical contact with their supporters during campaigning.
Año made the remarks despite some reports on social media of violations of the resolution during the national campaign period which started last February 8, including hand-sharing and hugging.
“First of all, we want to thank the candidates because they are following the guidelines under Comelec resolution No 10732,” said Año in a radio interview when asked for his observation of the campaign period.
“They are really trying their best to control the crowd,” he said.
Año said authorities will remain active in monitoring these events because the candidates are expected to intensify their candidates in the coming days.
He also noted that the campaign for local candidates are due to start on March 25.
“We are not going to hesitate in filing charges against the candidates and their supporters if there are violations,” said Año. — With Noel Talacay and Victor Reyes
