Pangilinan on breaking the 'Solid North': 'Volunteers ang totoong magic sa Leni-Kiko campaign'

AS THE movement for the Team Robredo-Pangilinan (Tropa) campaign strengthens, vice-presidential aspirant Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Monday attributed this success to the various efforts put up by volunteers.

In a radio interview with Bombo Radyo Tuguegarao, Pangilinan said it would have been impossible to break the so-called "Solid North" if not for the continuous backing shown by the Robredo-Pangilinan supporters.

"Mukhang natutunaw ang Solid North dahil sa political climate change," said Pangilinan, who is just fresh from a morale-boosting people's campaign sortie in the home turf of their duo's closest political rival in Cagayan and Isabela.

"Nagbabago ang ihip ng hangin, ang aming magic ay iyong aming mga volunteers na napakapursigido sa pag-iikot, pagbibigay ng polyeto, at pag-ha-house to house, ay talagang kakaiba. Sila ang totoong magic," added Pangilinan, underscoring the gallant efforts of the volunteers who drew at least 10,000 over the weekend.

For Pangilinan, people are now seeing the need for a radical reform in governance which the Robredo-Pangilinan espouses.

The lawmaker said that because of their duo's sincerity and clean track record, people are now ready for a "gobyernong tapat."

"Hindi naman talaga natin balak na tumakbo [bilang bise-presidente]. Pero dahil sa tawag ng tungkulin, isinantabi muna natin ang ating sariling plano at nagdesisyong tumakbo," he said.

"Ang track record natin ay hindi matatawaran. Kahit kailan ay hindi tayo nabahiran ng kahit anumang anomalya. Iyong taumbayan mismo ay nakikita ang ating hangarin at gusto na rin na magkaroon ng tapat na panunungkulan - gobyernong tapat, ika nga. Kaya iyon, sila ang pinakamasigasig sa pagsusuyo sa ating mga kababayan," he added.

With this overwhelming support, Pangilinan expressed his gratitude to the people who showed up, adding that he hopes that the momentum will continue until election day.

"Akala namin malamig at kaunti lamang ang susuporta [diyan sa Norte] pero kabaliktaran ang nakita natin. Talagang kakaiba. Maraming salamat sa ating mga Solid North na nagpakita ng suporta sa amin," he said.

"Mula ngayon hanggang sa araw ng halalan, wala tayong bahay at kalyeng papalampasin... Susuyurin natin, ilalabas natin ang katotohanan. Kakausapin natin sila. Kukumbinsihin natin sila para tumaya na rin para magkaroon ng tunay na tapat na gobyernong ating iluloklok," he said in a previous speech.