Robredo’s daughter Jillian barnstorms Marcos bailiwicks

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – The youngest daughter of presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo swept across Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Batanes, Baguio and La Trinidad on Monday, April 25, and Tuesday, April 26, stressing her mother’s message of unity.

Speaking before a crowd of supporters of her mother and her running mate senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in Ilocos Sur’s capital city of Vigan, Jillian said she feels “very protective” towards her mother, whom studies have tagged as the “biggest victim” of online disinformation on social media.

“Ayoko pong nakikitang ginaganun siya, kasi alam kong hindi naman ‘yun totoo,” she said. (I don’t want to see her being attacked because I know those claims are false.)

Jillian also stressed her mother’s message of inclusivity.

“As President, Leni Robredo won’t just serve the pink crowd but all colors, not just our allies,” she said in Filipino.

The Office of the Vice President, she added, has legitimate “receipts” of everything her mother had done in the past six years. 

“Even here in Ilocos Sur, when she got clobbered in the last elections, she did not forget to help our people, especially during the pandemic,’ Jillian said.

Pressure on allies

In Ilocos Sur province, Santa town Vice Mayor Jeremy Jesus Bueno III gave Robredo a rare gift in Marcos’ bailiwick – his public pledge of support  

“I can choose to be comfortable, and just support [someone from our region], or remain neutral and be silent. But I think I owe that much to the people of Santa, to my fellow Filipinos from other regions, to help in the campaign of Robredo,” said Bueno who has been red-tagged for being an ally of progressive groups.

Bueno said his leadership style was influenced by Leni, describing her as “very dedicated and hard worker even before she assumed her position as member of the House of Representatives.”

He reminded fellow Ilocanos that votes should not be based solely on one’s ethnic ties, and urged voters to look at the track-record, capability, and platform of the candidates.

In La Trinidad, Benguet province, Jillian spoke at the town’s Vegetable Trading Post and the public market parking lot.

“Kay Mama kami humuhugot ng Lakas. Si Mama, kahit po noong hindi politician ay tumutulong kung kailangan,” Jillian stressed. (We get our strength from Mama. Even when she was not yet a politician, she was always ready to help.)

Jillian said that even with limited funds, the Office of the Vice President tried to extend all possible assistance to Benguet when Typhoon Ompong devastated the province. The OVP also sent PPEs for hospitals in the region, she added.

The Vice President’s supporters said they expected Benguet Itogon mayor and congressional candidate Victorio Palangdan and gubernatorial bet Jerry Marave,  both running under the Marcos Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, to endorse her.

Palangdan’s liaison officer was at the site, directing arrangements of the stage. The mayor met and welcomed Jilian but immediately left without giving a message. Aides said he had to attend a community caucus.

Marave, a lawyer, spoke on stage to say he was fully supporting Robredo and Pangilinan.

Patience amid heckling

While Jillian was campaigning at the Baguio City Public Market on Tuesday, April 26, an unidentified person heckled her group, complaining that they were blocking other folk.

A video clip circulated Wednesday night, showing Jillian’s campaign team shaking hands and stopping for groupies with vendors and market-goers when a person starts shouting, “Grabe naman kayo, sinasarahan ang daanan, public market ito” followed by, “Dayuhan ka lang dito, Igorot kami.”  

(You are too much, you are blocking the way, this is a public market. You are not from here, we are Igorots.) 

Spliced copies of the incident also circulated, blaming Jillian and her group for provoking the person. But the Youth for Leni Baguio-Benguet posted an extended version showing the group peacefully walking and campaigning. A voice in the background constantly reminded them to spread out and not block the way. 

“Walang katotohanan ang kumakalat na mayroong sinungitan si Jillian, makikita ito sa video na nakalayo na si Jillian noong mayroong humihiyaw sa likuran,” said Youth for Leni Baguio-Benguet. 

(The word going around that Jillian insulted someone is not true. The video will show you that Jillian was already some steps away when someone started shouting from behind.)  

Baguio City reelectionist councilor Mylen Yaranon, who was with the group, took to Facebook to back the accounts of the volunteers. 

“I was with Jillian Robredo, introducing her to the vendors… We passed the vegie section with warm welcome and selfie pictures from the vendors and market goers. While we were at the rice section, one person started shouting to make way, and the group made way,” she recalled. 

The councilor said that she even apologized to the person. “(W)e were all shocked, especially when the person came back shouting, but the vendors started booing at the person,” she said. 

Jillian called young Ilocano volunteers as favorites of her mother, because they have persevered despite threats and harassments during their house-to-house campaign.

“Alam naming hindi madaling maghouse-to-house (campaign) dito, kaya’t nagpapasalamat kami. Hindi po madali pero sana po hindi tayo mapapagod. Iparamdam natin sa mga tao na hindi tayo magkakalaban at iisa ang nais natin, ang umunlad ang buhay.”

(We know it’s not easy to do house-to-house here, which is why we are grateful. I hope we don’t get tired. Let us make people understand that they are not our enemies, and that we want everyone’s life to improve.) – Rappler.com

John Michael Mugas and Sherwin De Vera are Luzon-based journalists and awardees of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowships.