NAGA CITY, Philippines (Bicol Standard) — Close to 2,000 supporters trooped to Plaza Rizal on Thursday evening to attend a prayer rally to protest the latest online attack against Vice President Leni Robredo and her husband Jesse.
In attendance were Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr., Naga City Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion, Councilors Nene de Asis, Elmer Baldemoro, Miles Arroyo, Jun Lavadia, Lito del Rosario, Vidal Castillo, Ray-an Rentoy, and Buddy del Castillo.
Also present were members of civil society groups, several representatives of private and public schools, and other organizations within Naga City and the third congressional district of Camarines Sur.
A majority of the attendees were members of Lakas ng Kababaihan, a group founded by the vice president and her late husband, and several members of the persons with disability (PWD) sector.
Mayor John Bongat, however, was absent from the occasion.
It will be recalled that Bongat earlier announced that he will not attend the event until after his family gets justice following cyberbullying from netizens.
Apart from Bongat, City Councilors Jose Rañola, a relative of the mayor’s wife and Greg Abonal did not attend the prayer rally.
Robredo said the issues hurled against her are old, recycled issues used against her family, which people should not believe.
“Tubod kamo na imbuelto si Jesse sa jueteng? Sa drugs? Na may pinagadan si Jesse?” (Do you believe that [former Mayor] Jesse was involved in jueteng? In drugs? That he had somebody killed?”) she asked the crowd, to which her supporters shouted “Dai” (No).
According to the vice president, the issues in NagaLeaks do not only concern her family but also the City of Naga itself.
Robredo said that she's hurt since the city’s good name and reputation are being tarnished by the affronts on social media.
She added that the people responsible for the NagaLeaks are hiding behind fake identities, and thus cannot easily be made accountable for their actions.
"It would be good if those issues are discussed here in Naga, because you are all aware of the situation, but since they are discussed nationwide, it is my responsibility to confront the issues and react," Robredo said.
Robredo pledged to make those involved in NagaLeaks answerable for their irresponsible actions.
Source : http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/03/17/1682037/leni-rallies-supporters-vows-make-detractors-pay-nagaleaks