Vico Denies Leni Rally At City Hall

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto reiterated on Sunday, March 13, that no election-related activities would be allowed within Pasig City Hall premises, in reaction to a campaign poster of Vice President Leni Robredo showing that the candidate’s sortie would be held in the city hall quadrangle.

Sotto said information being disseminated on social media that Robredo’s supposed sortie would be held on March 20 in the quadrangle is “not true.”

“Pasig City Hall premises, including quadrangle, are not open for any political rally,” he said in a tweet.

The mayor’s statement came weeks after he issued a warning to all local and national candidates that the local government would not allow election-related activities to be held in areas not allowed by the Commission on Elections.

Sotto earlier said that the city would be strict in implementing Comelec rules on posting campaign materials in public spaces, which include city-run properties and buildings.

The mayor said all national candidates would be given equal treatment in seeking a platform to campaign in the city as long as these are within the bounds of existing laws and regulations.

Sotto said candidates applying for permits may use the city’s plazas and open streets as they are the biggest spaces available.

Romblon laity

Meanwhile, the Diocesan Council of the Laity in Romblon has endorsed the candidacies of Robredo and Pangilinan.

In a statement, the religious organization said they chose the tandem of Robredo and Pangilinan because after much prayer and discernment they believe that the two are the best leaders to lead the country, especially in these troubled and challenging times, and embody Catholic values and leadership qualities.

They urged the Catholic faithful belonging to the Diocese of Romblon to support their selected candidates in the elections.

They explained that in choosing their bets they looked for the following criteria: humble servants, hardworking and respectful; will fight for individuals’ rights; possess skills and integrity with concrete plans; protect the people and defend the poor; merciful and compassionate; will fight for the truth; will not tolerate wrongdoings; a good role model, and faithful leaders.

The Order of Carmelites also said that after discernment, they decided to support the candidacies of Robredo and Pangilinan.

“We are individual Carmelites, who, after deep discernment, declare our support for the tandem of candidacy of Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan, as they aspire for the two highest offices in our land,” the group said.

They said they would also back the candidacies of those belonging to the Robredo-Pangilinan senatorial slate.

Negros Occidental supporters

In Negros Occidental, not even a heavy downpour and the mud-soaked football field could stop local folk from joining the “people’s rally” of the Team Robredo-Pangilinan (TRoPa) in Sagay City over the weekend.

Pilipinas Diongson, a member of the Gagmay Kristianong Katilingban, a Church-based organization of parishioners, said they are “committed” to supporting Robredo and Pangilinan.

“We are committed in doing this not just for ourselves but for the country,” Diongson said as she cited the challenges the country had faced during the martial law years and under the Duterte administration.

Diongson was among the estimated 5,000 Sagay City residents who showed up at the people’s rally that turned the open football field into a sea of pink.

TRoPa’s Negros Occidental sortie schedule includes visits to San Carlos City, Sagay City, Kabankalan, Binalbagan, Hinigaran and La Carlota City before the grand rally in Bacolod City. – With Evelyn Macairan