Former House speaker Jose de Venecia on Friday endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo for president in his bailiwick Pangasinan, where she lost by a wide margin in 2016 to her chief rival.
De Venecia, along with his wife former Pangasinan Congresswoman Gina and son incumbent Congressman Toff, linked hands with Robredo during a campaign rally in their hometown Dagupan City.
Pangasinan is the third-most vote-rich area in the Philippines and in 2016, Bongbong Marcos beat Robredo for the vice presidency.
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"VP Leni, aaminin ko po, hanggang sa kadulu-duluhan, bago pa ako tumuntong sa entablado, ako po ay punong-puno ng takot at pangamba. Pero awit nga ng ating kaibigan na si Ebe Dancel, sa pagkumpas po ng kamay ni VP Leni ang ating landas ay ginagabay," the younger de Venecia said.
"Siya po ang nag-iisang tiyak sa isang libong duda, at masaya po ako na sa wakas, nahanap na po natin si VP Leni," he added.
The five-time speaker co-founded and was the former president of LAKAS-CMD, which had endorsed Sen. Bongbong Marcos for president in the May 9 elections.
His fifth term speaker under former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration ended after he was ousted.
Former house speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who was ousted under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and replaced by Arroyo, also formally endorsed Robredo for president.
Alvarez led former Reporma standard bearer Sen. Ping Lacson to quit as party chairman and continue running for president as an independent.
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