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National Unity Party President Barzaga endorses Robredo
By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS,GMA News National Unity Party President and Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga has endorsed Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo for president in the May polls, despite the NUP's earlier backing of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s presidential run.
In his local proclamation rally over the weekend, Barzaga said he would support Robredo after looking into her track record, with experiences in the judiciary, legislature, and executive.
“Nakita ko sa kanya na alam niya ang suliranin ng mga mahihirap, alam niya ang suliranin ng marginalized sector sa ating bansa, at alam niya kung ano ang mga solusyon na dapat ibigay kung siya ang mahalal na pangulo ng ating bansa,” he said.
(I saw in her that she knows the problems of the poor, she knows the problems of the marginalized sectors in the country, and she knows what solutions to provide if she is elected as the president of our country.)
Barzaga — who said he worked with Robredo from 2013 to 2016 — also cited Robredo’s programs as Vice President, along with the highest audit rating her office scored from the Commission on Audit (COA) in the past three years.
“If we base her track record, naniniwala ako [I believe] that she is the most qualified to be elected as president,” he said.
Barzaga’s endorsement comes just days after the National Unity Party endorsed Marcos as its presidential bet, also urging other party members to back him.
Barzaga’s wife Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga also publicly announced her support for Robredo, while noting that she would back the vice-presidential candidacy of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
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(Who I will support for president, campaign, and help, is no other than the number one in our hearts Leni Robredo.)
Their son Councilor Kiko Barzaga also took to the stage as he said he would support Marcos in the upcoming polls. He was the sole candidate who wore red during the rally.
“That is his right. Ang lagi namang sinasabi ni Kiko sa kanyang post (what Kiko always says in his posts), ‘politics is just temporary but family is forever’,” the family patriarch said.
Misamis
Meanwhile, NUP members in Misamis Oriental also defied party decision by announcing that they are backing Robredo's 2022 presidential bid during a press conference at the Unity Building in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.
“We look at the credibility of the candidates and Robredo is committed, virtuous, and principled," Misamis Oriental Second District Representative and gubernatorial bet Juliette Uy said.
A colleague of Robredo during the 16th Congress, Uy was joined by other members of her Team Unity slate, including First District congressional bet Karen Lagbas, Second District congressional aspirant Julio Uy and the 24 mayors under their respective districts.
“We believe Robredo will bring progress to the country. We choose whom we think is the best leader for the country,” said Team Unity vice gubernatorial bet Joey Pelaez.
Lagbas, for her part, said Misamis Oriental will not be left behind in terms of economic development and projects if Robredo wins the presidency.
This was echoed by Villanueva mayor Jennie Uy-Mendez.
“She’s (Robredo) in touch with the grassroots. She’s a person worthy of our support. Before she became a public official, she’s already a public servant,” Uy-Mendez pointed out.
Team Unity, however, has thrown its support behind Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s candidacy for vice president.
Several local government officials earlier openly expressed Robredo and Duterte as their respective bets for president and vice president in what is now dubbed as the “RoSa 2022” campaign. — with Llanesca T. Panti/DVM/KBK, GMA News