THE Bicol Association of the CNMI, organizers of the “Pink Caravan” on Saipan for Philippine presidential candidate Leni Robredo and her running mate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said the event held on Sunday, Feb. 13, was a success.
Bicol Association president Noel Ordas and secretary Loida Park pose for a photo during a campaign event for Philippine presidential candidate Leni Robredo and her running mate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
Bicol Association president Noel Ordas said those who participated spent their own money for the pink decorations of their vehicles and donated a total of $300 for their next event.
Ordas said the “Pink Caravan” on Saipan did not receive any funding from the Robredo campaign.
“This is purely volunteerism on our part,” he added.
He also noted that other members of the Filipino community on Saipan, and not just Bicol Association members joined the Pink Caravan.
“It was a successful activity,” he reiterated.
Ordas is once again inviting interested Filipino voters on Saipan to join the next campaign event that will be announced at a later time.
“Definitely, it will be before the end of the campaign period,” Ordas said. “We will also have a short program after the next event and we are working out the details of a short live message from Leni Robredo to her Saipan supporters.”
Be on the lookout for social media announcements, he added.
Carlito Jimenez Marquez, a Bicol Association member, told Variety, initially they were only expecting 30 vehicles, but more than 40 cars showed up for the caravan.
“We apologize to other ‘kakampink’ [pink teammates] because we were not able to reach out to all of them, but we will be more organized the next time,” Marquez said.
This is not only for Bicolanos, he added. “This event is for all Filipinos who want a better system of governance in the Philippines. Let’s vote for Leni!”
Robredo hails from the Bicol region, south of Manila.
Bicol Association secretary Loida Park said “there could have been more participants today but some of those who wanted to join had work schedule conflict.”
Robredo’s supporters gathered at the Bicol Association pavilion in Susupe on Sunday for the Pink Caravan that started exactly at 3 p.m. and was escorted by the Department of Public Safety.
Pink is the campaign color of Robredo, the incumbent vice president of the Philippines which will elect a new president and other officials on May 9, 2022.
Eligible Filipinos who work or reside overseas can cast absentee ballots.
The other candidates for Philippine president are former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who narrowly lost to Robredo in the 2016 election, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, boxing legend Sen. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and labor unionist Leodegario “Ka Leody” Quitain de Guzman.
The current president, Rodrigo Duterte, was elected in May 2016 and is barred by the constitution from seeking another term. His daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara “Inday” Duterte-Carpio, is the running mate of Marcos Jr.
In the Philippines, the president and vice president are elected separately.
Supporters of Philippine presidential candidate Leni Robredo and her running mate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan pose for a group photo at the Bicol Association pavilion in Susupe on Sunday after their successful “Pink Caravan” event.
The vehicles of motorists supporting Philippine presidential candidate Leni Robrero are seen near the As Lito intersection during their “Pink Caravan” on Sunday.
