CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (UPDATE) — A campaign for the presidential and vice-presidential bids of Vice President Leni Robredo and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, respectively, in the May elections was launched here on Monday.

“Robredo Sara 2022” or “RoSa 2022,” kicked off with a motorcade in the northern Mindanao city, with participants bringing pink and green balloons, the campaign colors of Robredo and Duterte-Carpio, and holding a rally at Plaza Divisoria.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who earlier endorsed Robredo and Duterte-Carpio, joined the said activity. He is the RoSa 2022 National Convenor.

• Salceda wants Robredo-Duterte tandem in Malacañang

"If I had my way, the presidency should stay in Mindanao in order (that) there will be no regression, especially in the way the national government treats the periphery of this country. The single biggest pool of poor people is in Mindanao. Therefore, the presidency should stay here," Salceda said.

"But since Sara did not run (for president), then the next best is a Bicolana because we are also one of the most neglected regions in this country," he added.

"The simple argument for RoSa is: Robredo and Sara is good for Mindanao. Robredo and Sara is good for the country. Robredo and Sara is good for the economy. And Robredo and Sara is good for our future."

The first major gathering of the RoSa 2022 volunteers in Mindanao happened during Women's Month.

"Sabi nila, 'Bakit babae?' Ang sagot ko naman, 'Bakit hindi babae?'" Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco, who supports the tandem, said at the event.

(They say, 'Why women?' I answer, 'Why not women?')

"Kasi po (Because), let us give women that opportunity. Both VP Leni and Mayor Inday have proven themselves. And I think the biggest factor really as a woman, as a mother, as a lola (grandmother), and as a teacher was that they are humble enough and open enough to do what is best for the Filipino family," she added.

Deputy House Speaker and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who is also president of the Centrist Democratic Party, is endorsing as well the Robredo-Duterte-Carpio tandem.

Rodriguez earlier called on President Rodrigo Duterte to endorse Robredo as his successor.

Robredo's running mate is Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, while Duterte-Carpio is running with former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.

Other groups are also endorsing the tandem of presidential aspirant Isko Moreno Domagoso and Duterte-Carpio. The former's vice presidential candidate is Dr. Willie Ong.

• ‘Least baggage’? Why some Duterte supporters back Isko, Sara candidacies
• Halalan 2022: New coalition pushes for Isko-Sara tandem

— report from Rod Bolivar

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