Bulacan gov denies Marcos camp claim of indecision, backs Robredo for president

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando on Monday denied the March 12 statement issued by the camp of former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. that he is undecided on who to support for Eleksyon 2022, and instead reiterated his endorsement of Vice President Leni Robredo for the presidency.

Fernando, a reelectionist, hosted a joint press conference with Robredo two days after the statement was issued by Marcos' camp.

"I was misquoted. Wala akong sinasabing hindi o ayaw ko [kay VP Leni]," Fernando said.

(I never said anything that I will not support or I dislike VP Leni.)

"What I said was that I will have a decision before or after the local campaign [starts]," he added.

"CONTRARY to an earlier statement by Leni Robredo's camp, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando has not yet formally endorsed the candidate he will truly support for the presidency in the upcoming May 9, 2022 elections," the Marcos camp press release said.

Fernando however first endorsed Robredo during a Women's Month event last March 5, the same day that the people's rally for Robredo and her team held in Malolos City drew around 45,000 people per the estimate of the organizers.

The governor on Monday cited Robredo's humility and compassion for the needy.

"Ikinagagalak ko po ko ipahayag sa araw na ito, na sa mabiyayang patnubay ng makapangyarihang Diyos, ang susunod na magiging presidente ng Republika ng Pilipinas, Leonora "Leni" Robredo," Fernando said.

(I am glad to announce, with the grace of God, that the next President of our country is Leonora 'Leni' Robredo.)

Bulacan gov Daniel Fernando, who is seeking reelection, holds press conference with VP and presidential bet Leni Robredo in Malolos City
Fernando announced his support for Robredo's 2022 presidential bid last March 5 @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Tbhn9OS07I

— Llanesca T. Panti (@llanescajourno) March 14, 2022

"Kailangan po natin ng pinuno na nadarama ang kalagayan ng kaniyang kapwa, walang bahid ng korapsyon, may matatag na pananampalataya sa ating Panginoong Diyos na magdadala sa atin ng maunlad, mapayapa, maaliwalas at kulay rosas na bukas," Fernando added.

(We need a leader who feels for our people, who is not corrupt, who has a strong faith in God, and who can bring us to a progressive, peaceful and brighter tomorrow.)

Fernando is just one of the only four governors so far who are backing Robredo in Eleksyon 2022. The others are Governors Toto Defensor of Iloilo, Bong Lacson of Negros Occidental and Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar.

Robredo recognized the weight of Fernando's endorsement, given that the province of Bulacan is home to at least two million registered voters for the 2022 polls.

"Napakahalaga pong tulong ang pagpapasya na ginawa ni Governor Daniel Fernando ngayong umaga kasi simbolo siya ng lingkod bayan na iniisip hindi kung ano ang makakabuti sa sarili niya kundi ang makakabuti sa nasasakupan niya at sa ating bayan. Puwede naman po hindi mag-endorse si Governor. Puwede naman lumaro na lang siya sa iba't ibang kandidato," Robredo said.

(Governor Daniel Fernando's support is very important because it is a symbol of public service that is not self-seeking but seeks to benefit his constituents and our country. He could have chosen not to endorse anyone. He could have just played along with other candidates.)

Robredo then said Fernando has always welcomed her office's efforts to help  Bulacan. Among her projects is the feeding program in Dona Remedios Trinidad and the provision of livelihood for sewing groups in Obando, Pandi, San Rafael, and Sta. Maria as they were commissioned to make personal protective equipment for frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Alam ko hindi ito madali para kay Governor Dan. Pero ang kanyang pagpapasya ay tulungan ang isang kandidato kagaya ko na hindi pa nangunguna sa survey ay pagdesisyon na walang alintana sa epekto ng kanyang sariling kandidatura," Robredo added.

(I know this is not easy for Governor Dan. But his decision to help a candidate like me who is not topping the survey shows that he has decided regardless of what this would mean to his election bid.)

Robredo also welcomed Evardone's support, given that the Eastern Samar governor is a member of the PDP-Laban chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Mahalaga ang mga ganitong statement coming from nothing. Para ipahayag mo ang saloobin mo ng suporta na kahit hindi tayo frontrunner, nakakalakas ng loob," she added.

(These statements are valuable coming from nothing. For someone to express support even if we are not the frontrunner is encouraging to me.)

Mental health professionals

Meanwhile, a group of mental health professionals composed of 3,618 psychologists, psychiatrists, guidance counselors, coaches, psychometricians, psychology and counseling educators, students and alumni have also declared their support for Robredo and her running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan.

"We saw during the pandemic how VP Leni understood people’s difficulties and distress, and how she came up with workable solutions in the most challenging circumstances. She launched the Bayanihan E-Konsulta mainly to respond to the unmet medical health needs in many communities, but when she realized that there were also rising mental health concerns, she recruited psychologists, counselors, and other mental health professionals in the team of volunteers. VP Leni  is able to rally different sectors to support her initiatives, she just gets things done," Dr. Allan Bernardo, past President of  the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), said in a statement on Monday.

"For the past two years, the stress and anxiety level of our people has been very high due to the pandemic and toxic politics. Our dignity has been assaulted as we have to deal with the lying, and harsh and insulting words in social media and other venues. It’s very clear to me now that we need a leader who is honest, competent, strong, compassionate and has solid core values, can think clearly in any situation and find ways to solve our economic, political, social and even mental health issues, and bring back our dignity and sense of pride as Filipinos.  I can say without a doubt that that leader is Leni Robredo. We need her now to be our next President," clinical psychologist and National Social Scientist and Dr. Honey Carandang added. —KG, GMA News