Robredo, Kris Aquino distribute aid to typhoon victims

by Teresa D. Ellera

VICE President Leni Robredo has assured continued assistance to the victims of Typhoon Odette in Negros Occidental as she visited the cities of Kabankalan and Himamaylan on Wednesday, December 22.

Robredo was joined by celebrity Kris Aquino and her fiancé, former Interior and Local Government secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, during the ceremonial distribution of relief assistance.

She said they will also extend help not only to residents of Kabankalan and Himamaylan but also to neighboring areas that were badly-hit by the typhoon.

Stressing that they do not have any other agenda, Robredo said that, “I personally came to make them feel that I am with them and they are not alone in this time that they are coping up from the devastation brought by the typhoon.”

The Vice President said that her team had been in Negros since three days ago and will stay here as she knew that the typhoon victims are going through a difficult situation right now.

Robredo said Aquino, sister of former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and daughter of former President Corazon Aquino, has been supporting her since she ran for vice president in 2016.

She said the actress and television host is supposed to join in her campaign in the middle of January next year.

But when she [Aquino] heard that she is coming to Negros, Aquino opted to join, Robredo also said.

For her part, Aquino pledged 1,000 kilograms of bottled water, 500 SIM card packs with 100 loads each to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who was also present during Robredo’s visit.

Aquino said she wants to give more than the P2 million donated by actress and philanthropist Angel Locsin to Robredo for the relief assistance.

Though she is at risk being an immunocompromised, Aquino said she still decided to come with Robredo because she is aware that Negros has given much votes for her late brother.

Aquino has been supporting Robredo because she knows that she is deserving to lead the country that needs change, she added.

“As an Aquino, I have to do this to continue the sacrifices of my parents and my late brother for the country,” Aquino said.

“My mom said, kung ang babae matatag at marunong, ang buong pamilya mabubuhay. Kailangan natin bumangon and I have trust in her (Robredo) na alagaan niya ang bawat Pilipino [If a woman is strong and wise, the entire family will survive. We need to stand up and I have a trust in her that she can take care each and every Filipino],” she added.