ALBAY, Philippines – The ruling Liberal Party (LP) visited the province of Albay on Saturday, February 13, as part of its week-long send-off for its candidates in the 2016 national elections. 

Standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II, running mate Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo, and several senatorial candidates visited the towns of Tabaco and Ligao for quick sorties, culminating in a grand kick-off at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City.  

The Albay visit is part of the “Daang Matuwid (Straight Path)” coalition’s Luzon leg. It formally launched its 2016 campaign in Capiz, the home province of Roxas, on February 9, the start of the official campaign period. 

Another kick off was held on Friday, February 12, in Naga City, the hometown of Robredo. Her husband, the late Jesse Robredo, was mayor of the city for nearly two decades.  

Albay is home to more than 740,000 voters while Camarines Sur has more than one million registered voters for the 2016 elections. Bicol region, where the provinces belong to, is home to more than 5 million registered voters. 

When he ran for vice president in 2010, Roxas won by a close margin over rival Jejomar Binay – Roxas got over 244,000 votes while Binay bagged over 222,000 votes. 

Speaking in Tabaco, Ligao, and Legazpi, Robredo asked for her fellow Bicolanos’ help in both her and Roxas’ campaigns. 

– Rappler.com