Robredo: I’m inspired by crowds not paid to show up, volunteers who spend for my campaign

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur — Vice President and presidential bet Leni Robredo said Tuesday she is inspired by her supporters who willingly come to her campaign rallies and spend money out of their own pockets for the printing of shirts of varying designs to promote her candidacy. 

Robredo made the days after House Deputy Speaker Jesus Crispin Remulla claimed he was told that the people's rally held in Cavite City for the Vice President that drew a huge crowd of 47,000 people, happened because the attendees were paid P500 each.

Since then, the Robredo People's Council led by Cavite Board Member Kerby Salazar and Karen Velarde have disputed Remulla's claims and said even a number of their fellow volunteers donated financial resources to pull off the event.

"Kapag tinitignan ko po lahat ngayon, grabe ang pag-asa at insipirasyon na nararamdaman ko. Hindi lang po dahil sa alam ko na 'di kayo bayad. Pero alam ko dahil iyong mga t-shirt niyo, iba iba ang shade ng pink," Robredo said in a campaign stop here.

(When I look at you today, I feel so much hope and inspiration. Not only because I know you are not paid to be here, but because you're wearing shirts of different shades of pink.)

"Iba't iba ang imprenta, at kanya-kanyang gastos sa pag pa-imprenta. Saka iyong mga posters na pinrepare ninyo na babasahin natin," Robredo added.

(Your shirts have varied imprints and you shouldered the cost of printing. And even the posters you've made which we will read.)  

Some of the signs she read went "VP Leni, we are enchanted to meet you"; Pinaasa for Leni, Doctors for Leni, Dentists for Leni, Manguuma (Magsasaka for Leni), Gobyernong Tapat, Magkakawheelchair ang Kurap, among others.

The jampacked crowd who trooped in Robredo's campaign in Cavite grand rally also wore varying T-shirt designs promoting the candidacy of Robredo and her running mate, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, as customary in other places they have been to for the campaign.

Robredo finished second to then-Senator Alan Cayetano in Surigao del Sur in the 2016 vice presidential race with 88,503 votes, a razor thin loss to Cayetano's 88,519. — RSJ, GMA News