BY GLENDA TAYONA and IME SORNITO
ILOILO City – “Pink pa rin,” declared Mayor Jerry Treñas.
He was referring to the campaign color of Vice President Leni Robredo, his candidate for president.
Treñas issued the statement after his political party, the National Unity Party (NUP), announced yesterday it was supporting the presidential bid of Robredo’s rival, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. whose campaign color is red.
Iloilo province’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., also an NUP member, also reaffirmed his support to Robredo.
The two Iloilo officials declared their support to Robredo last year yet after the Vice President announced she was running for president.
“Committed na kami,” Treñas told Panay News. “Pink pa rin.”
He and Defensor see the continued progress of Iloilo under a Robredo presidency.
“Padayon ang mga programs kag proyekto. Ang mga handom naton diri matigayon ta gid para sa aton mga pumolyo,” said Treñas.
Defensor said the Vice President has consistently included Iloilo in her office’s programs these past six years. “I am confident nga indi kita diri maulihi,” he said.
Added the governor: “Waay lang ni guro nabal-an sang mga Ilonggo. VP Leni was always here. She was here silently and working for the Ilonggos. So I think bentaha ang presidency ni VP Leni para sa aton.”
But not only for Iloilo, he stressed.
“I am confident nga sa presidency ni VP Leni who is an economist and lawyer, mauna gid ang mga fundamentals nga kinanglan sang mga Filipino parehas sang food security…Wala na sang mas importante sa aton sang sa kan-on kag sud-an nga ara sa lamesa naton,” said Defensor.
The governor said he was thankful that NUP respected his and Treñas’ decision to support Robredo.
NUP had a meeting on Wednesday, March 23, in Metro Manila. Defensor said he was present and that Marcos was there, too, and gave a speech.
“He was invited by the party to speak. Damo man miembro sang partido nga nagasuporta sa iya…ang membership sang partido lain-lain man ginasuportahan,” said Defensor./PN
