Charles Teves
With a little over two months left until the national elections, millions still haven’t decided who their presidential pick is, but some former “Pinklawan” haters already know that Vice President Leni Robredo is the only one who can get the country out of the rubble.
Sherwin Descalso Abdon and Kristine Abdon were some of the latest ex-loyalists of Bongbong Marcos (LBM) who shifted their support to Robredo after fully learning the relatively diplomatic culture of the Pink movement.
Robredo was forced to ride a motorcycle to her venue in General Trias due to heavy traffic. Sherwin, an LBM at the time, was kind enough to give her a lift. The couple shared their good deed on Facebook but instead received insults from fellow LBMs.
The hate made them contemplate on whether they’d still back the dictator’s son.
Eventually, they realized that Robredo was just the better choice. Both are open to answering anyone who’d like to ask why they flipped. They also do not care if they lose friends over their decision.
The switch wasn’t entirely abrupt. The couple took the time to study Robredo’s accomplishments and what she’s all about.
Ex-Cagayan governor Alvaro ‘Bong’ Antonio, also an ex-LBM, recently revealed that Marcos did nothing when the province dealt with calamities.
He reached out to Marcos when the latter was still a senator during Cagayan’s struggle with strong typhoons a decade ago.
“He did not even face me. He only instructed that my resolution be left. I personally tried to ask him for help twice when I was governor but not even a cross-eyed centavo was given by him,” he said in his local dialect.
He urged his constituents to not vote for someone just because they share ethnic ties.
“It is not necessary that we should pick an Ilocano candidate as we also base our votes over what transpired in the past,” he said.
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Antonio also highlighted that the martial law era did the country no good contrary to what propagandists say.
“I will stand with the truth that in Alcala alone, there were many of us who were imprisoned, including my friends and family who died. I felt the aggression of Martial Law. That is why, if they say that Martial Law is good, por dios por santo, do not believe that,” he added.
Cagayan is part of the so-called “Solid North.”
Robredo in 2016 only got 50,000 votes from the province but kakampinks are confident that the number will be much higher come May.
Robredo’s chances of winning also shot up astronomically after Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando endorsed her on Monday. The Marcos camp previously claimed that Fernando was indecisive in picking a presidential bet.
“Ikinagagalak ko ipahayag sa araw na ito… ang ating taos-pusong suporta sa kandidatura ng ating kasalukuyang Bise Presidente, na sa mabiyayang patnubay ng makapangyarihang Diyos ay siyang susunod na magiging Presidente ng Republika ng Pilipinas, Iginagalang na Leonora ‘Leni’ Robredo,” said Fernando druing a press briefing at the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.
Fernando highlighted how hardworking a public servant Robredo is.
“Hindi lamang siya naging ina sa kanyang tatlong anak na babae, bagkus ay naging ina ng bansang Pilipinas at nagsilbing ilaw ng pag-asa ng sambayanang Pilipino sa gitna ng krisis at kalamidad,” he added.
Robredo also thanked Fernando for his cooperation with the Office of the Vice President in helping Bulacan with various issues.
Robredo recounts the OVP's Angat Buhay activities in Bulacan, saying its COVID-19 and livelihood programs went smoothly because of the cooperation Governor Fernando gave to her office. | via @michelleabad_ #PHVote #WeDecide
— 2025 Philippine local and national elections (@phvote) March 14, 2022
Other governors who back Robredo include Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, and Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone.
