VP LENI PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON FARMER’S PLIGHT; 50,000 NOVO ECIJANOS PROMISE ‘BABAWI KAMI’

Presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo said farmers endure the most sacrifices and are often on the receiving end of empty promises during elections, in her campaign rally in San Jose, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, March 22.

“Dito sa Nueva Ecija, napakaraming mga magsasaka. At 'yung mga magsasaka grabe 'yung sakripisyo na tinitiis ngayon,” Robredo said. “At lahat kaming kandidato, ang sasabihin namin dahil kampanya, aasikasuhin namin 'yung mga magsasaka. Papahalagahan namin 'yung mga magsasaka. Pero dapat hindi lang tayo basta-basta naniniwala.”

There is always proof or “resibo” for all of Robredo’s work as Vice President, and even before she became a politician – projects for the marginalized sector including farmers that have improved their lives.

“Ako po mahabang panahon hindi pa po ako politiko, abogado ako para sa mga magsasaka. Abogado tayo para sa mga mangingisda. Halos buong buhay natin, ginugol natin sa mga communities at alam niyo 'yan dahil kapag tinignan niyo po 'yung aming mga record, kumpleto kami ng resibo,” Robredo said.

As Vice President, Robredo’s Angat Buhay Program also helped various farming communities all over the country, including Nueva Ecija’s Palay and Kalamansi Farmers Agriculture Cooperative in Cabanatuan.

At the Anehan People’s Rally in Cabanatuan, 50,000 Novo Ecijanos lit up the Old Provincial Capitol Oval for Robredo.

In her speech, Robredo said she did not expect a huge turnout for the event.

"Alam niyo po 'yung sinasabi pa lang sa amin na dito sa oval gagawin 'yung ating rally, natakot ako. Pinadalhan po nila ako ng picture, nakita ko napakalaki. Ang sabi ko sa aming team, sabi ko ‘Hanap tayo ng mas maliit na lugar.’ Kasi sabi ko, ‘Napaka laki naman niyan. Baka aalog-alog tayo diyan’,” Robredo said. "Ginulat niyo ako ngayong gabi."

"Pero alam niyo po, nagugulat ako sa inyo kasi naaalala ko po 'yung 2016 elections. Naalala niyo ba 'yung 2016 elections?" Robredo said.

Robredo lost in Nueva Ecija in the 2016 vice presidential elections by over 300,000 votes.

The 50,000-strong crowd reassured Robredo that this time around, Robredo will have Nueva Ecija's vote. “Babawi kami!” they chanted. [End]