Updated:February 12, 2022, 8:00 A.M.
British Columbia
“..humps and bumps along the way but we will be with her in this journey ” – Treenee Lopez
By Charmaine Janis Rodriguez
As a unique and heartfelt tribute to presidential candidate Leni Robredo, her supporters in Metro Vancouver kicked off the campaign period by taking public transportation last February 6, 2022.
Vice President Robredo, a lawyer and former Camarines Sur 3rd District representative, is known for taking public transportation to her hometown, Naga City.
In her proclamation speech in Naga City last February 8, 2022, Robredo emphasized that her government will always have an ear, heart and will to be there for the marginalized sectors.
“Magtatatag tayo ng gobyerno na handang makinig sa inyong mga hinaing at gagamitin ang inyong karanasan bilang batayan ng kanyang mga hakbang, isang pamahalaang aalagaan ang kaban ng bayan at gagamitin ito para sa ikabubuti mo lagi. Isang pamahalaang magmamadaling sumaklolo pag dumaing ka. Makikipag-puyatan para mapaginhawa ka. Lulusong sa baha para iahon ka. Susuutan natin ng tsinelas ang gobyerno at patatawarin sa mga pilapil papunta sa iyo. Sa ating pamamahala, laylayan ang magiging bagong sentro,” she told her crowd of supporters.
She considers commuting a norm and her way of being in touch with the public, who are already used to seeing her taking a bus.
“Vice President Leni knows what it’s like to take public transportation. And like the campaign, there will be humps and bumps along the way but we will be with her in this journey,” said Treenee Lopez, main organizer of the Vancouver Canada Pink Caravan of Hope.
Lopez said that following the Pink Caravan for Leni and her running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan last November 2021, the “Tara Canada Biyahe Tayo Para Kay Leni and Kiko” event was aimed at making it more inclusive and open to people from all walks of life and all age groups to join at their own time and pace. The caravan used private vehicles and followed a route specified under a permit.
But this time, the use of public transportation—like the bus, sea bus and Skytrain–from the Vancouver Convention Centre, the Lonsdale Quay Terminal for the sea bus, then to English Bay and then to the McGlen Arthur Designer Outlet.
Among the participants were teenagers and Neria Lacuna, who is already 81, and Lutchie Lirio, 75.
“It just shows that everyone is calling for good governance and Leni’s supporters know that the journey will not always be smooth sailing but what’s important is to reach the final destination,” Lopez added.
Robredo-Pangilinan supporters in Canada also held virtual events. More campaign events are in the pipeline and it will continue to be consistent with Robredo’s advocacies and campaign platform, Lopez also said.
Today, Saturday (Feb. 12) at 3 PM
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