GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – He was flanked by local allies, including two members of an influential politician family, but it was in a feisty mother of 8 where Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II found his staunchest supporter. 

During a rally here on Friday, April 1, Roxas picked from the crowd a woman to speak on stage – part of the ruling party standard-bearer’s routine in sorties around the country. 

But what set apart Lelita Dablo from the rest was when Roxas started teasing her for being “sipsip (a suck up)” after she said she was supporting his candidacy. 

“Kay kanang naluoy ko nimo kay ginadaot ka nilang Binay,” Dablo told the crowd, as Roxas himself held the microphone for her. (I feel bad for you because Vice President Jejomar Binay keeps on trying to ruin your name.) 

Roxas let Dablo speak and she gladly obliged. 

“Kung pwede palang muanha ko sa stage unusual mu-pranka ko niya nga ikaw nangurakot ka. Dili ko mahadlok sa iya, promise dili ko mahadlok,” she said, to the applause of the yellow-clad audience at the Bula Gymnasium. 

(If I could, I’d go on stage and tell him that he’s a thief. I’m not afraid of him. I promise I’m not afraid.) 

Dablo, who works as a clothes washer, said she was “angry” at Binay because the Vice President refuses to own up to corruption allegations against him. 

“Mao nang naglagot ko ni Binay kay… Kung pwede palang muanha ko sa stage unya mu-pranka ko niya nga ikaw nangurakot ka. Dili ko mahadlok sa iya, promise dili ko mahadlok,” she added. 

(That’s why I’m angry at Binay… If I could, I’d go on stage and tell him to his face that he’s a thief. I’m not afraid of him. I promise I’m not afraid.) 

Binay is facing allegations he pocketed government funds as former Makati mayor. He defeated Roxas in the 2010 vice presidential race, and the two are now running for president.

Roxas sometimes invites an audience member onstage, usually a beneficiary of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), during campaign sorties. 

Dablo said she wasn’t part of the 4Ps, but Roxas said she would be soon part of it, under an expanded version of the popular program. 

“Lelita, dalhun kita sa bilog na pilipinas para ma istorya mo sa bilog sang Pilipinas,” quipped Roxas after Dablo spoke. 

(Lelita I’ll bring you all over the Philippines so you can tell the entire country.) 

The crowd cheered as she nodded in response to Roxas’ invite. 

“Dili ko mahadlok. Dili ko mahadlok. Para tanang katawhan makatuo gyud na kining si Binay may mali si Binay,” said Dablo. 

(I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid. So that everyone else believes that Binay is wrong.) 

Roxas campaigned in General Santos on Friday to cap off a two-day campaign in different provinces in Mindanao. 

In General Santos, Roxas was joined by the Antoninos, a political clan from the city. On stage was former city mayor and Represenative Darlene Antonino-Custodio and her mother, incumbent Minda Secretary Lu Antonino. 

The day prior, Roxas campaign in Cotabato City and nearby provinces where he spoke at length about his plans for the ongoing peace process. – Rappler.com