Robredo guarantees a government that does not hide

Robredo claims a gift from one of her supporters. Photo Source: Youth Vote For Leni - Antipolo

"Sa oras na kailangan niyo, nandiyan kaagad kami (In times of need, we are there right away)."

Robredo promised a government that is reliable and available in times of need at the "LENIwanag Ang Silangan: Leni-Kiko Rizal Grand People's Rally" on Tuesday, April 5 at the Rizal Capitol Grounds in Antipolo City.

The sky had been showering since early in the morning. Around 9 p.m. the skies cleared just in time for the entrance of presidential candidate Leni Robredo off a flash mural painting by the Angono Women Artist Collective.

Robredo admitted to the estimated 43,000 soaking wet attendees that she asked the organizers if the rally would reschedule due to the unpleasant weather.

"Sabi ko po, itanong na kung okay lang ba sa inyo na i-reset nalang kasi mababasa kayo. Ang sagot po sa akin, 'Ang Rizal, rain or shine' (I told them to ask if it is okay to reset, because you will be drenched. They answered me, 'Rizal is rain or shine')," she said as the people cheered.

During her speech, she said that despite losing in Rizal the last election, she continued to come back to the province and produced numerous projects and livelihood programs.

She said that Rizal knows that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has been the first to respond to whatever the calamity is.

"Bawat sakuna, alam po ito ng mga binibisita natin: sa Rodriguez, sa San Mateo, sa Cainta. Magbagyo, sunog, o ano pa mang sakuna, halos kami [lang] po—napaka-aga naming pumunta dito para gumawa ng relief operations. Kung natatandaan po ng mga nabisita natin, mataas pa 'yong tubig baha, wala pang kuryente; nandito na po kami, nagbibisita, nagbibigay ng tulong," she added.

(English translation: Every disaster, people we visit knows: in Rodriguez, San Mateo, Cainta. Whether it be a typhoon, fire, or any catastrophe, [it's] almost just us, who came here early to do relief operations. If those we visited remember, the floodwaters were still high, and no electricity yet; we are already here, visiting, and helping.")

Last November 2020, when Typhoon Ulysses severely affected parts of Rizal, Robredo, together with her team, was the first one to respond and give help to the affected families in the evacuation centers.

She said that this is what their tandem—Leni-Kiko—promises, to have a government that listens and is always ready. A government, specially tested and proven to have done service and has a clean record.

Since 2018, the OVP has earned the 'unqualified opinion'—the highest rating—from the Commission on Audit.

Robredo thanked the crowd and advised them to rest and continue campaigning in the next few days.

"Sa mga susunod na araw, trabaho ulit, hindi lang mag kampanya; pero talagang tao sa tao, dalhin natin ang mensahe ng pag-asa (In the following days, work again, not just in campaign; but, let us personally bring the message of hope)," she said.

"Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo, mabuhay po kayong lahat (Thank you very much and long live to all)," she said, ending her speech.

Robredo read some placards, her running mate, Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan hands her a phone with a note that reads, "Leni, wala akong mama sa graduation, baka pwedeng ikaw nalang? (Leni, I don't have a mother for my graduation, can you be one?)."

"Sure, kailan ang graduation mo? October? Ayan, sabihan mo ako (Sure, when is your graduation? October? Just let me know)," she said, agreeing to attend her supporter's graduation day.

Robredo and the Tropang Angat will head to Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, and Davao to hold her campaign sorties in the following days.