Leni to lead Otso Diretso in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo is expected to be in Cebu today together with the Otso Diretso senatoriables for the Lakbay ng Taumbayan Cebu Leg.

There will be a "Salubong" from the Port area to Plaza Independencia in Cebu City in the morning where a press conference will be held afterwards.

The eight senatoriables of Otso Diretso are expected to be in Argao town for a multisector dialogue with the senior citizens, fisherfolks, women and beneficiaries of the Saling Tubig of then Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas.

Organizers will also be inviting participants from the neighboring towns of Dalaguete, Sibonga and Dumanjug.

In the afternoon, the senatoriables are expected to join Robredo for the "Ahon Laylayan" event at Plaza Independencia.

The Otso Diretso slates includes Congressman Gary Alejano of Magdalo Partylist, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Samira Gutoc, lawyer Romulo Macalintal, former Congressman Erin Tanada and former senator Mar Roxas.

This is the third time since the start of the election campaign that the opposition candidates stormed Cebu.

First, they were here together with Robredo minus Roxas last February 21 and on March 26 with Former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino minus Roxas, Bam and Alejano.

Both leaders were urging the Cebuanos to vote for the senatoriables of Otso Diretso.

The Ahon Laylayan Koalisyon is composed of 15 sectors like women, urban poor, cooperatives, labor, farmers, professionals/academe, senior citizens, transportation, youth, fisherfolks, among others.

The coalition has eight People's Legislative Agenda which includes strengthening the agriculture sector, going against the lowering of minimum age of criminal liability, pushing for the Anti-Dynasty Bill, Freedom of Information among others. —/MBG (FREEMAN)