BARMM assemblyman says Robredo was only VP candidate who campaigned in Lanao del Sur

An assemblyman of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Tuesday said only Vice President Leni Robredo “took the time to visit Marawi,” which is why voters were drawn to her during the 2016 vice-presidential elections.

In a Facebook post, Zia Alonto Adiong said Robredo won by a landslide in Lanao del Sur because she was the only vice presidential candidate to conduct a political rally in the area.

“We couldn’t expect less from a candidate running for a national office especially if one is up against a well-known political name and is practically fighting an uphill battle. She was effective in doing exactly that. She introduced herself directly to the locals, appealed to them, shook hands with them and went on with her sorties in Marawi and other areas in the province alone. Yes, alone,” he said.

Marcos, who also sought the vice presidency in 2016 but lost, filed an electoral protest on accusations that Robredo committed electoral fraud.

Marcos' supposed third cause of action is the annulment of 2016 election results for vice president in Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Maguindanao due to alleged terrorism, violence, force, threats, intimidation, pre-shading of ballots, and vote substitution.

Adiong said there were no national candidates who campaigned with Robredo in Marawi City.

“No other national candidates came with her. Yes, she was the only Vice Presidential candidate who took time to visit Marawi. As a result of that, people were drawn to her and naturally she got the votes she needed and won by a landslide,” he said.

“So, to question the result of her winning in Lanao del Sur is like skipping an event and then fume about why you weren’t recognized in the first place,” Adiong added.

He added that it is “preposterous” for anyone to insist that any other candidate should have won in Lanao del Sur “despite a sheer lack of interest… to visit the area and campaign.”

On Tuesday, Supreme Court justices directed the release of the report on the recount of contested ballots from Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental, Marcos' chosen pilot provinces, to Marcos and Robredo.

The tribunal also required both parties to submit their comments on the report within 20 days from receipt of notice. — BAP, GMA News