TOP INFLUENCERS | TV presenter Vice Ganda raises the hand of Vice President Leni Robredo in a gesture of affirmation in front of a record crowd of 412,000 in Pasay City on Saturday night. (PHOTO COURTESY OF TEAM LENI ROBREDO)
MANILA, Philippines — More popular celebrities endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential candidacy at a mammoth rally on her 57th birthday on Saturday, prompting veteran political activist Sen. Franklin Drilon to declare that “if the elections were held last night, we would have won.” .”
Speaking to reporters in Iloilo City, the senator said the 412,000 turnout in Pasay City, the largest in the campaign so far, was a remarkable show of power that he hopes hasn’t yet caught on in pre-election polls.
“Indeed it was a great rally, [spanning a] few kilometers on Macapagal, not only the number but also the passion of the participants. It’s obvious they weren’t brought in by shuttle or bus,” Drilon said.
During the rally, actors John Arcilla, Angel Locsin and Vice Ganda gave the most impassioned speeches about why they decided to support Robredo.
“This is what true love of the country looks like,” Arcilla said. “Stand up because we don’t want corruption or any form of injustice because those two things are the reasons so many of us are suffering.”
He said he chose Robredo “because of what she’s done, what she’s doing and what she’s going to do.”
An emotional locsin, meanwhile, reminded Filipinos that they themselves will suffer every time they pick the wrong candidates.
“If we want change, we stop choosing political dynasties because our problems will keep coming up,” she said.
“Every election, we come together to help one candidate win. Instead, we should help ourselves, our families and our country should win… We should be the winners,” Vice Ganda said.
“So my gift to the Filipino people is my vote for Leni Robredo,” the talk show host said. It was the first time Vice Ganda made a public appearance to support Robredo.
Robredo, who turned 57 that day, thanked the celebs for “backing the Leni-Kiko tandem” despite not being the current poll leader.
Aside from the three actors, other celebrities who expressed their support for Robredo were Gary Valenciano, Maricel Soriano, Ogie Alcasid and his wife Regine Velasquez, Liza Soberano, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.
Drilon said the energy of the crowd made the difference to the other candidates’ rallies.
“The last time I saw that was in 1986. I am confident that despite all the difficulties, if the people cast their vote, the will of the people will prevail and find its way,” he said, referring to the mass demonstrations of 1986, which culminated in the Edsa revolution.
Drilon also addressed criticism that the Robredo campaign was elitist, saying the linchpin of accepting all political colors and not just pink shows how receptive her camp is to feedback.
Drilon said Robredo’s opponent, Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, wrongly accused Robredo of bullying other candidates to force them to resign.
“I have never seen a candidate who is gentler than Leni. She is very pleasant. This accusation is completely unfounded. Perception is not reality,” he said.
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