Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga, president of the National Unity Party (NUP), and his wife, Dasmariñas Mayor Jenny Barzaga broke party lines and endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo for President on Saturday, March 26.
The Barzagas’ open support for Robredo came two days after the NUP endorsed the presidential bid of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., the son and namesake of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.
At another rally in Imus, Cavite a day earlier, Alex Advincula, who represents the third district of Cavite in Congress, also endorsed Robredo. He is running for mayor of Imus.
A mammoth crowd of nearly 50,000 people showed up at the People’s Rally for Robredo on March 4 in General Trias City, thwarting the claim of Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla that Marcos, Jr. would get at least 800,000 votes in Cavite.
With Advincula and the Barzagas joining the people in supporting Robredo, Cavite has once again become an important battleground for the presidency. Dasmariñas alone is a vote-rich city with over 400,000 voters.
In Cagayan de Oro City, Mayor Oscar Moreno believe there will be more local political groups to come out and back the presidential bid of Robredo. He said the groups may not necessarily be political allies, and may even be working to outsmart one another at the local levels, but
their support for Robredo “is going to be a welcome development.”
After Robredo’s filing of certificate of candidacy in October last year, More no was the first local official in Mindanao to openly declare his support for her presidential bid.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said he, too, is expecting more declarations of support for Robredo from known local politicians. With Rio N. Araja
In Iloilo, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and Mayor Jerry Treñas said they will still support Robredo despite the endorsement of the National Unity Party (NUP) for Marcos Jr.
Denfesor said NUP was “respectful” of his decision to back Robredo.
Treñas clarified that he was supporting Robredo “in his personal capacity,” and that he will be backing Robredo “not as a member of the NUP.”
In a Camanava rally, some 36,000 strong supporters reportedly joined Robredo in observance of Earth Hour.
Robredo stressed the importance of taking part in the Earth Hour, a worldwide movement for climate action.
The crowd of 36,000 supporters lit up the venue as the stage lights were dimmed in observance of Earth Hour. With Rio N. Araja
