Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo made her very first visit some provinces of Mindanao after filing her certificate of candidacy (COC) seeking a presidential seat and denied speculations that her intention was to gain the local’s support for the upcoming elections.

Incumbent VP Robredo was in Cagayan de Oro City for a COVID-19 vaccination rollout, feeding program, and to deliver relief operations to the provinces affected by typhoon Maring under the Office of the President’s (OVP) #AngatBuhay Program.

On her return to Marawi City, Leni Robredo attended the launch of Bangsamoro for Leni, consisting of civil society organizations, academe, and advocates. At their meeting, the support groups of the Vice President expressed their gratitude for the continuous help of OVP in Mindanao, especially in the Bangsamoro region.

Presidential candidate Robredo turned down speculations that her recent visit to Mindanao was made to gain local support for her campaign for the upcoming 2022 national elections, “Ako kasi kahit sinong tanungin mo rito, kahit pa iyong political capital ko rito maliit, iyong Mindanao isa sa pinaka-binigyan ko ng emphasis mula noong naging Pangalawang Pangulo ako,” Robredo said.

“So, for the past five and a half years, saksi iyong mga tao rito na halos native ako rito. Halos babad—hindi lang halos—pero babad na babad ako rito. So, may eleksyon, walang eleksyon, alam nila na nandito ako,” she added.

Robredo admitted that it became hard for her office to visit the region due to the health restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and that it was only now when restrictions have eased she was able to come back.

The provinces of Mindanao have been the primary beneficiaries of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) #AngatBuhay program and were able to bring projects of livelihood, education, and health; women empowerment, rural development, and housing initiatives in different parts of the region.

Photo credit: Facebook/VPLeniRobredo