Partido Reporma embraces Alvarez support for Robredo

CEBU, Philippines —  The Partido Reporma in Cebu has expressed its full support to the decision of Davao del Norte First District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez endorsing the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.

“Our officials and majority of our allies in Cebu have also openly declared their support for Robredo,” said Partido Reporma in Cebu chairman Arnold Romaguera.

Romaguera said that electoral alliances are not something new in the Philippine politics. He added that as the campaign is moving forward, their party has discovered that Robredo’s platform and programs are clear, specific, and resonate the Filipino aspirations to have good governance and a leader with integrity.

 Romaguera said that they agree with Alvarez that we need “a leader.”

“For the 2022 presidential election, given all these considerations and the crisis we have to overcome that leader is a woman. Her name is Leni Robredo,” he said.

Joining forces and merging shared values common vision are the best alternatives to win the race for a better Philippines, the official added.

Alvarez’s Partido Reporma has been supporting the presidential ambition of Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, whom he earlier described as the most qualified to be president.

 Right now, Alvarez said, two candidates have pulled away from the pack, and while the candidate second in ranking still lags far behind from the frontrunner, it is evident that Robredo’s campaign has gained, and continues to gain, significant traction.

  “There is much potential there. She has also shown that she represents ideals which are substantially in line with the aims of Partido Reporma: to reform government and provide a better future for Filipinos,” part Alvarez’s statement read.

Alvarez added that their ground leaders have expressed their wish to participate in that brave calling and that is why, a hard choice must be made.

With a heavy heart, he said, many members of Partido Reporma are constrained to consider a candidate other than their first choice.

“We reasonably believe that the only realistic option at this point, with roughly a month and a half left, is to converge with Leni Robredo’s campaign. Together, we will pursue the realization of our collective aspirations to improve the chances of ordinary Filipinos at a better life,” Alvarez said.

 Alvarez added that the Reporma members and officers concerned, they positively, but realistically, view the opportunity to help ensure that the Robredo campaign is strengthened and further represented by additional sectors of society, especially from those in Mindanao, which is their home - which runs the risk of being neglected again when President Rodrigo Duterte steps down from office.

“We respect the choice of our members and officers. They are not Pink, but they are reformists, and they are for Leni Robredo. The fight for good governance and a better tomorrow for our People has never been, and never will be, limited to a single color,” Alvarez further said in his press statement.

Lacson has resigned as chairman and member of the party but still pursue his presidential ambition as an independent candidate.

“In the face of these recent developments, allow me to say, like a true-blooded warrior that I am all my life, I will continue this fight in pursuit of my quest to serve my country and our people, as your Chief Executive – if God and the Filipino people will it, come May 9, 2022,” Lacson had said in a separate statement.

Cebu Vice Governor Hilario “Junjun” Davide III, who is vocal and open in supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo, said that the support of the Partido Reporma is a “very good development”.

Ryan Benjamin Yu, convenor of Maka Leni sa Sugbo, said they are very happy also with this development as this will add more strength for Robredo in Mindanao area.

 “We are very glad with these developments. The people’s campaign is having an impact on the local politics. Definitely the political landscape in Mindanao will change because of this endorsement. We hope that other local politicians will come out and support Leni,” said Partido Manggagawa-Cebu spokesperson Dennis Derige. — JMD (FREEMAN)