DASMARIÑAS CITY – Former Vice President Leni Robredo called on supporters to back the reelection bid of senatorial candidates Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino. 

The former was her running mate in the 2022 presidential elections, while the latter was her campaign manager in the same polls.

 Robredo earlier joined the Kiko-Bam tandem as they kicked off their senatorial bid with a mass at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Tuesday morning.

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 She formalized her endorsement of her allies when she took the stage at the People's Campaign Kickoff Rally at the Dasmariñas City Arena in the evening.

 "Tumitindig ako sa harap ninyo ngayong gabi, hindi bilang kandidato, kundi bilang kapwa ninyo Pilipino. Buong pagpapakumbaba at pakikipag-usap: Muli nating gisingin ang lakas ng nagkakaisang taumbayan. Muli na nating ipaglaban ang Pilipinas ng ating mga pangarap," Robredo said. "Tara na, ipanalo na natin si Senator Bam Aquino at Senator Kiko Pangilinan," she added.

 Robredo went on to raise the hands of the Kiko-Bam tandem, much to the delight of the supporters present at the event.

 Prior to this, the former Vice President lauded the work of another ally, Senator Risa Hontiveros, in the upper chamber.

 "Bigyan natin si Sen. Risa ng mga kaalyado at katuwang. Mga kapwa niyang matitino at mahuhusay na titindig kasama niya sa lahat na laban," she said.

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 Robredo hopes voters will re-elect Aquino who champions free education and jobs for the youth; as well as Pangilinan who pushes for lower food prices and reforms in agriculture.

 "Sina Bam at Kiko ay dalawa sa mga pinakamatitibay na patunay na ang tunay na nagmamahal, hindi ka lolokohin, hindi ka iiwan at hinding-hindi ka susukuan. Sa kabila ng pagkakadapa at mga kabiguan, muli silang sumusubok, iniaalay ang sarili para sa kapakanan ng ating bayan," she said.

 "Hindi para sa pansariling interes. Hindi para magpakasasa sa kapangyarihan. Hindi para linlangin ang taumbayan. Tumitindig silang muli bilang kampeon ng bawat Pilipino na nangangarap ng mas magandang buhay, mas maraming oportunidad, at mas maliwanag na bukas," the former Vice President added.

 ROBREDO LOOKS BACK AT 2022 CAMPAIGN

 Robredo began her speech by looking back at her 2022 presidential bid, especially her campaign experience in the vote-rich province of Cavite.

 She and Pangilinan eventually lost in the province, despite drawing huge crowds in her rallies in General Trias City and Dasmariñas City.

 "Mula sa iilan, lumawak nang lumawak ang ating hanay. Naalala ko noong nag-uumpisa pa lang parang daan-daan pa lang iyong mga kausap natin.  Naging libo na, hanggang noong malapit nang mag-eleksiyon umaabot na tayo ng milyon," Robredo said.

 The former Vice President recalled the "heartbreak" following her failed bid for higher office.

 "Alam ko na para sa marami, hindi pa nawawala ang kirot ng pagkabigo. Sabi ng iba grabe naman, three years na hindi pa rin nakakalimutan ang heartbreak…. pagkatapos ng nakaraang halalan, hindi maiwasan na makaramdam ng pagkadismaya sa mga nangyari," she said.

 Robredo said the fight is far from over and rallied the audience to stand with them. 

"Hindi puwedeng manatili lang tayo sa pagkabigo at paninisi dahil hindi naman natapos ang laban noong 2022. At hindi rin doon natapos ang ating tungkulin bilang mga Pilipino. Hindi tayo puwedeng tumigil," she said.

 "Ngayon, nahaharap tayo sa panibagong yugto, ang midterm elections, kung saan may pagkakataon muli tayong palakasin ang ating hanay," Robredo added.

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 The former Vice President reminded the crowd of the spirit of volunteerism that she witnessed during the campaign.  

 Robredo encouraged them to bring this back for the 2025 midterm elections.

 "Simulan sa simpleng pagtawag sa inyong mga kapamilya, sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kaibigan at kapitbahay… Muli tayong bumaba sa mga komunidad, para naman ipakilala ang mga tunay na senador ng taumbayan," she said.

 "Gaya noong 2022, buhay rin ang panawagan ng bolunterismo. Bukas ang kampanya sa inyong tulong at mga talento… Muli nating buhayin ang lakas, ang sigla, at ang saya noong nakaraang kampanya dahil hindi pa tapos ang ating laban," Robredo added.

 Pangilinan said Robredo committed to join them on the campaign trail until before she starts her own campaign for the mayoralty race in Naga City.