Iloilo City (CNN Philippines) — Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo visited Iloilo on Thursday (January 21) to serve as guest speaker of the 16th Barangay Health Workers (BHW) Provincial Congress at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
Around 9,500 BHW workers from five different districts in Iloilo attended the event.
In her speech, Robredo shared about her own stint as a barangay worker, and bared her desire to increase the pay of those who work in that field.
“Ako po ay naging isang barangay worker sa napakahabang panahon, at alam ko po yung nararamdaman at sakripisyo ng nga taong eto,” said Robredo.
[Translation: I was a barangay worker for a very long time, and I know the sacrifice that these people go through.”]
“Gusto kong isulong ng lahat ng mga barangay workers na bigyan ng karampatang sahod,” she added. “Nais ko ang sahod ng mga barangay workers ay ipapaubaya na sa national government para hindi na mahirapan ang mahirap na barangay.”
[Translation: “I want to push for fair wages for all barangay workers… I hope to have the national government pay the wages of barangay workers, to ease the hardship of those undergoing tough times in the barangay.”]
She also reminded those in attendance of the good deeds done by her late husband, former DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo.
“Yung buong buhay ko po, kami yung abogadong di ngtatrabaho sa opisina,” she said. “Kami po yung abogado na pumupunta sa malalayong lugar para maging abogado ng mga mahihirap na tao.”
[Translation: “Throughout my entire life, we are the lawyers who don’t work in the office… We are the kind of lawyers who would go to far places to help those who are in need.”]
Aside from Robredo, LP standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas’ mother, Judy Araneta Roxas, also graced the affair and formally endorsed her son to the Ilonggo community.
At the event, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., also called for a fair, honest, and peaceful election.
“Dapat wala sang may gapamakal boto kag gapabakal boto sa subong na election,” added Defensor.
[Translation: “No one should buy votes and no one should sell his or her vote either during this year’s elections.”]
The Robredo and Roxas tandem are expected to attend the city’s Dinagyang Festival over the weekend.
