Leni meets with former farmer-clients

MANILA, Philippines - Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo met over the weekend with Sumilao, Bukidnon farmers whom she once defended as a volunteer lawyer.

The farmers showed her around their land, whose conversion into a corporate piggery they successfully fought against in 2007 when they walked for over 1,600 kilometers from their town to Manila.

The land is now used for various crops, including corn and sweet potato.

“You are our inspiration. You have shown that after hardship comes better times,” Robredo told the Sumilao farmers who have declared their support for her and her standard-bearer, former local government secretary Manuel Roxas II.

The youngest female marcher in 2007, Bajekjek Merida Orquillas recalled that Robredo herself and her late husband Jesse welcomed them when they reached Naga City on their Bukidnon-to-Manila trek.

“We were welcomed by a marching band, and for that moment, we felt our exhaustion disappear. Learning about their strong support gave me hope that we were going to win our case,” she said.

“Ma’am Leni also organized a gathering of supporters, and with her efforts, the city council of Naga came out with a resolution in support of the Sumilao farmers,” she said.

Orquillas is now co-owner of the land they fought for. The farmers have organized a cooperative to efficiently manage their land.

Robredo later exchanged views with the farmers on the problems and challenges facing the land reform program.

During the gathering of the First Baptist Church in Tarlac, Roxas claimed that the country has achieved much because of the straight path policy, a message that he consistently peddles during his sorties.

“We are not saying that everything is perfect now but I think even the blind and the deaf can say that we have gone this far and we have achieved much in the last five years,” Roxas said.

He said the gains were made possible by the administration’s strong anti-corruption policy and the desire to promote the interest of the public.

President Aquino was present during the gathering of members of the Christian group. Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, local officials and preachers of the First Baptist Church also attended the meeting.

Robredo, for her part, asked members of the First Baptist Church for prayers so that she and Roxas can continue to push for programs that would benefit ordinary Filipinos.

“The role of your church is important to each public servant. Our faith and relationship with God guide us in our daily struggle,” Robredo said.

“With the help of your blessing, we hope we can fulfill our mission to push for programs that will uplift the conditions of a majority of our countrymen and allow them to feel that God is present in their lives,” she added.  

Villanueva thanks Erap

Meanwhile, Liberal Party senatorial candidate Joel Villanueva welcomed the endorsement he received from former President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

“I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of Mayor Erap. His blessings come with the nod of the masses he dearly loved and served in his long years as a public servant,” he said.

“Mayor Erap and I share the belief that the Filipino talent and skills are the country’s best resources. I look forward to being their voice in the Senate,” he said. – With Alexis Romero