Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. is supporting the presidential candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs.
“Basi sa aton panghimulso sa aton mga kasimanwa diri sa probinsya sang Iloilo, masuporta kita kay Vice President Leni Robredo,” Defensor told reporters in a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 28.
The governor believes that Robredo, whom he described as a “sincere” public servant, can greatly help the provincial government in its drive “for a resurgent, progressive, globally competitive and resilient Iloilo.”
“Upod kami sina sa last term ko sa House of Representatives [as Iloilo Third District representative]. Suno sa aton pag-upod kag pagkakilala ko sa iya (then-Camarines Sur Third District representative Robredo), sya ni ang makabulig sa aton pagpaninguha,” said Defensor.
The governor said he would invite others to join him, “without preempting party (National Unity Party) and supporters.”
“Pero amo man na ang himuon ta sa palaabuton nga hagaron ta sila nga maupod sa aton. Manghagad pa kita,” Defensor added.
The local chief executive clarified that his decision to support Robredo does not mean that he would prohibit himself from meeting other presidential aspirants.
Defensor is also supporting the vice presidential bid of Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Robredo’s running mate.
“Kon sin-o ang choice sang presidential candidate, amo man ang aton buligan,” he said.
“Senator Francis Pangilinan is not a stranger to me. He was chairperson of the University Student Council while I was a freshman at UP,” the governor added.IMT
