JE C.C.
Tens of thousands of‘ Kakampinks’ graced the Robredo-Pangilinan grand rally in Pangasinan, a known ‘Solid North’ province.
“Awan ti Solid North (There is no solid north),’” chanted the crowd who attended Leni-Kiko’s first grand rally in a province traditionally known as a Marcos bailiwick.
In the 2016 national elections, Vice President Leni Robredo lost nearly 600,000 votes to her closest rival, Bongbong Marcos. The crowd she was able to muster last night, April 8, however, seems to suggest she might have created a crack to the so-called mighty Solid North wall.
UPDATE: Here's the drone shot for #PangasinanIsPink rally as of 3PM 💗💗 WALANG SOLID NORTH! #PangasinanIsPink #GalilaLeniLa#TalindegPangasinan pic.twitter.com/4IlGLWuNSJ
— Movie Craze (@themoviecraze) April 8, 2022
At 7:00 PM, Around 60,000 supporters are said to have flocked CSI Lucao’s open space, the venue of the grand rally, according to the organizers.
That figure was later on updated to 76,000, when VP Robredo was already delivering her speech. It is a rare show of force of support for the lone female presidentiable who braved to bring her campaign to the province she lost in 2016.
OMG! Former Speaker Jose De Venecia, Manay Gina De Venecia, and Toff de Venecia for VP Leni!!!#TalindegPangasinan #PangasinanIsPink pic.twitter.com/8c104xKYnE
— Benedict Bernabe (@yogawithben) April 8, 2022
One of the highlights of the night was when Robredo and Pangilinan were officially endorsed by one of the province’s prominent political clans, the De Venecias.
Present during the event were former House Speaker Jose De Venecia, his wife, and former lawmaker, Gina De Venecia, and their son and the incumbent Pangasinan 4th district representative, Christopher De Venecia.
In his speech, the young De Venecia affirmed his family’s support for Robredo’s candidacy and urged his fellow Pangasinenses to vote for the ‘Pink’ tandem.
Hon. Venecia was one of the 11 lawmakers who voted ‘Yes’ to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise, in July 2020.
Interestingly, Jose de Venecia is chair emeritus of Lakas-CMD, which is currently chaired by Marcos Jr’s running mate, Sara Duterte-Carpio. Former President and current lawmaker, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is also one of the party’s most prominent figures, notably brokered the Duterte-Marcos alliance.
In her past grand rallies, the Leni-Kiko slate won endorsements from various political groups and prominent political clans, including Pantaleon Alvarez’s REPORMA, the Barzagas of Cavite, and the top local executive of several provinces, including Bulacan, Davao del Norte, and Northern Samar.
In her speech in Dagupan, VP Robredo reiterated her promise to take care of every Filipino, the same way she cares for her home province in Bicol. She also reminded the people of Pangasinan to vote for their preferred candidates not because of the place they come from, but for their track record.
