Leni endorses Andaya, Anduyog candidates

By Paulo DS. Papa and Joe Caguimbal

Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo on Saturday, Jan. 22, officially endorsed the candidates of the Anduyog party who are running for various local, congressional and provincial positions in the May 9, 2022 polls during a conference in Barangay Abo, Tigaon, Camarines Sur.

Robredo endorsed the following Anduyog candidates: Ex-Congressman Rolando “Nonoy” Andaya Jr., for governor; Reelectionist Congressman Gabby Bordado as 3rd District representative; Reelectionist Congressman Arnie Fuentebella as 4th District representative; and Iriga City Mayor Madel Alfelor as 5th District representative.

The Bicolana VP also endorsed Board Member Gerard Pilipil for vice governor and other Anduyog bets for different local positions.

LENI’S BETS (Left to right) Congressmen Arnie Fuentebella and Gabby Bordado, Gerard Pilipil, VP Leni Robredo, Nonoy Andaya, and Mayor Madel Alfelor.

Anduyog, a local political party in the province was formed last year by Robredo, Andaya and Fuentebella.

In her speech during the conference, Robredo lauded Andaya for his quest to bring change in the province.

“Duman ko naheling na bakong politika an pigpapadanay. Duman ko naheling na si ‘Governor Nonoy’ handang isakripisyo an sadiri para sa kamarayan kan satong probinsiya. An sabi niya sakuya, pagsararoan ta na mapakaray an Camarines Sur,” Robredo said.

Meanwhile, Andaya, in his speech, revealed that Camarines Sur is now the poorest province in the region based on the latest survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority covering the first quarter of 2021.

He said that in 1991 when he took interest in politics, the province under Gov. Jose Bulaong, was considered the richest province in the region, given the fact that 50 percent of rice and coconut productions were harvested in Camarines Sur. He added that at that time the province also produced 35 percent of fisheries and aquatic harvest in the region.

He stressed that after 30 years of crab mentality, fake news and political intimidation, Camarines Sur is now one of the least economically developed provinces in the country.

“Piglampasan na kita kan Masbate. Piglampasan na kita kan Sorsogon. Kita na po an pinakapobre,” he said. “Asan ba ako noong 1991? I remember na ah! Papasok palang ako ng law school sa Ateneo. Ano ginawa ko? Ano ginawa niyo? Noong last 30 years, noong dikit-dikit na nagro-roro an satuyang probinsya? Rayaon saen kamo? Ano an ginigiribo nindo? And more importantly: Si irisay an an mga kairibanan nindo? An mag-aramang iyan. What lessons have you learned and what will we do now? Knowing that we have successfully razed our province to the ground?”

He lambasted the Villafuertes for the absence of provincial hospital, claiming that Camarines Sur is the only province without hospital while prioritizing the P2-billion Iconic Capitol building.