By Marivir R. Montebon
New York – About 600 marchers of the Walk for Democracy held a rally Sunday May 27 at the premises of the Philippine Consulate on 5th Avenue, demanding for clean and honest Philippine elections. The Kakampinks endorse Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis Pangilinan for president and vice president in the upcoming elections in May.
Up in the electoral contest is Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., son of deposed Pres. Marcos, in tandem with Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte. The polls show Marcos showing a good lead but rallies in the Philippines and abroad however show a consistently larger turn-out for Robredo-Pangilinan.
Prior to the rally at the Philippine Consulate, the Walk for Democracy participants held a rally at the nearby Bryant Park. In attendance were Jillian Robredo, daughter of Vice President Robredo, Frankie Pangilinan, daughter of Sen. Pangilinan, singer Rachelle Alejandro, and Nacho Tambunting, actor for off-Broadway’s Felix Starro.
The young Pangilinan spoke to the crowd, saying, “Nandirito po tayong lahat (We are all here) because we would like to better the social, economic, and political conditions back in our homeland, the Philippines…In the dark era of disinformation, fake news, and manufactured truths, we would like to call on the Commission on Elections of the Philippines…to have honest, clean, orderly, peaceful, and credible elections that we as a people can trust. This is a democracy and we will defend it…But freedom and democracy is not…hindi po yan minamana (these are not inherited). Pinaglalabanan po yan. (They must be fought for.) It’s a continuous fight, walang katapusan po ang laban. (The fight never ends.)”
Jillian Robredo, youngest daughter Vice President Leni Robredo, also addressed the crowd. “Alam ko pong mahirap maging malayo sa Pilipinas kapag ang daming nangyayari. Pero nakakabilib po na sa inyong lahat na nandito kayo ngayon, standing up for democracy kahit napakalayo natin. Pinapakita natin kahit 8,000 miles away tayo sa Pilipinas na may pakialam pa rin tayo sa anong nagyayari sa atin, sa ating bayan.” (I know it’s hard to be far from the Philippines when so much is happening [there]. But I believe in you all who are here today standing up for democracy even if we are far away. We are demonstrating that even though we are 8,000 miles away from the Philippines, we still care about what’s happening back home, in our nation.)
In front of the Philippine Consulate on 5th Avenue, the various groups expressed objection to traditional dirty politics and chanted “tama na sobra na! (Enough is enough!)” to the corrupt political dynasties that dominate Philippine politics, especially the Marcos-Duterte faction.
Tess Abutanmo dela Cruz, a nurse and a local leader in the FilAm community, remarked that Robredo must win in the coming elections. “Installing Marcos into power is a shame globally. Why vote for someone who stole billions of money from the Filipino people? We start with good leaders to improve lives.”
Philanthropist lawyer Loida Nicolas Lewis asked the public to intensify campaigning for Robredo-Pangilinan. “Call and tell your folks, no chocolates, no pasalubong unless they vote for Leni and Kiko!” The rallyists laughed and chanted yes!
Prof. Noel Pangilinan, meanwhile, noted the need to ensure a clean and honest election to give hope to the younger generation.
Organizations endorsing the Robredo-Pangilinan ticket here included 1Sambayan USA – Northeast, Filipino Migrants for Leni Kiko, Global Filipinos for Leni, Malaya Movement NJ Chapter, Malaya Movement NY Chapter, Solid Leni Kiko Global, Team Leni Robredo Pinoys NYC, United Filipinos for Leni North America, and Young Global Filipinos for Leni.# (Photos contributed by Tess Abutanmo dela Cruz; with Press Release from 1Sambayanan)
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