Magsaysay family, ex-PNP officials endorse Robredo

The family of the former president Ramon Magsaysay has expressed full support to the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.

In a statement yesterday, former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr., son of the late president, said Robredo is the best presidential candidate who embodies the ideals of his late father.

“In fully embracing Magsaysay’s belief that those who have less in life should have more in law, VP Leni has served the marginalized by being a lawyer for the masses – without much fanfare or pretension. As a public servant, VP Leni has initiated programs, such as the Angat Buhay program, that have uplifted the lives of those in the margins of society despite having limited means,” he said.

“As she believes that the common people are at the very center of public service, the Filipino people may expect Vice President Leni Robredo to espouse President Ramon Magsaysay’s enduring legacy of championing the Filipino masses,” the statement read.

The former senator urged his fellow Zambalen?os and Bataen?os to support Robredo, who is set to visit the two provinces on Tuesday.

Last Tuesday, Robredo and her running mate Sen. Francis Pangilinan also received the endorsement of Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua during their visit to the island province.

Virac Mayor Peter Cua, who serves as the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Catanduanes Chapter, said all 11 mayors in the province are supporting the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem.

PNP officials, Vanguards

At least 61 former officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Constabulary have also expressed support for Robredo.

In a statement, the former police officers said their decision to endorse Robredo was a result of consultation meetings she had with key retired PNP officials, where she outlined her plans to address issues in the country’s internal security.

“We believe that Vice President Leni Robredo is the candidate with the required political will, leadership, competency and necessary moral strength to implement critical programs for the best interest of the country,” it added.

In their statement, the former police officials cited Robredo’s platform on issues related to internal security and peace and order, including illegal drugs.

They noted the Vice President’s plan to address the supply concern by concentrating law enforcement efforts on big-time traffickers, while strengthening education and rehabilitation to reduce demand in communities.

Robredo also committed to adopt a science-based approach to combat crimes, support PNP’s long-term transformational strategy and strengthen the country’s criminal justice system.

Among the signatories were former Philippine Constabulary colonel and national security adviser Cesar Garcia, former National Police Commission commissioner Luisito Palmera, former PNP chief Ricardo Marquez and former Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission executive director Reginald Villasanta.

Also supporting Robredo were former Dangerous Drugs Board chair and PNP deputy chief for administration Felipe Rojas, former PNP deputy chief for administration Francisco Uyami and former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Edgardo Matillano, among other former command group and regional officials.

The endorsement follows similar support given to Robredo by other retired uniformed personnel, including former Armed Forces of the Philippines chiefs Emmanuel Bautista, Jessie Dellosa, Hernando Iriberri and Eduardo Oban Jr.

A total of 144 members from across generations of the University of the Philippines Vanguards also released a unity statement in support of Robredo and Pangilinan.