(UPDATE) Actor Piolo Pascual on Monday backed the presidential candidacy of Leni Robredo, saying in an impassioned video that "real unity" is better seen and felt under her leadership that has inspired different sectors of society to come together, instead of mere political dynasties.
"Ang sarap pakinggan ng salitang pagkakaisa no? Pero mas masarap siyang maranasan," Pascual said at the beginning of the video endorsement, an indirect jab to the overarching call of the presidential campaign of Robredo's rival, late dictator son Bongbong Marcos, Jr.
Highlighting how able Filipinos came together to aid their struggling countrymen during the pandemic, Pascual said Robredo's rallies, which have been drawing thousands of attendees, exhibit the same spirit of togetherness.
"Mga magsasakang naglalakad para makarating sa venue. Mga volunteers na gumagastos ng sariling pera para mangampanya. Mga nanay na kasama ang mga anak nila sa laban. Mga senior citizens na hindi na iniinda ang sakit, dahil ang kampanyang ito ay hindi na tungkol sa iisang pamilya o kandidato, kundi para sa Pilipinas na gusto nilang ipamana sa ating lahat," he said.
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Pascual said Robredo's leadership is what real unity is like: everyone coming together to live everyone up, rather than political dynasties coming together to forward what said were only self-serving interests.
Marcos' UniTeam has been criticized for being a coalition of three presidential families with well-entrenched dynasties: former Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Joseph Estrada, and Rodrigo Duterte.
"Ang totoong pagkakaisa ay isang pangako na walang maiiwan, lahat tayo magkakasabay na humahakbang para sa pangarap na lipunan. At ang totoong pagkakaisa, ay inspirasyon at panawagan na tayong lahat ay gumawa ng kabutihan," Pascual said.
"Sure ako, totoo at malalim ang unity ng mga Pilipino kung tapat, mahusay, at mabuti ang namumuno. Hindi ito ‘yung pagkakaisa ng mga political dynasty para sa sarili nilang interes. Ang totoong unity ay pagkakaisa ng taumbayan. Pilipino para sa kapwa Pilipino.
Iisa lang ang taong nagpakita at nakapagparamdam niyan sa atin sa loob ng napakaraming taon," he added, pointing to the only female presidential candidate this year.
"At si Leni Robredo lang ang tanging iboboto kong pangulo ngayong eleksyon."
In a tweet, filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone said Pascual was not paid for the video endorsement that was made by volunteer group Film Workers 4 Leni, whose overall production of the video is also free of charge.
