Was Bimbo Fernandez upstaged by BOPK in Leni-Kiko rally?

Former DILG Undersecretary Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez.

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Behind the sea of pink during the grand rally of Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Senator Francisco “Kiko” Pangilinan in Cebu City on February 24, 2022, tension were also brewing among supporters in the crowd.

The supporters were united in the presidency and vice-presidency of the Leni-Kiko tandem, but they supported different local candidates.

The division was particular between the supporters of the independent vice-mayoral candidate, former Department Interior Local Government (DILG) undersecretary Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez, and Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) official vice-mayoral bet, incumbent Councilor Franklyn Ong.

Supporters aired on social media how Fernandez was upstaged during the event when it was public knowledge that he was a consistent and major supporter of the Vice President even during her candidacy in 2016.

He was also the first to declare his support to Robredo’s presidential candidacy early in the election season.

The supporters especially expressed dismay that Robredo seemed to have endorsed Ong as her vice mayoral candidate for Cebu City.

Fernandez’s son, Noel, was very vocal on social media over the incident sharing his dismay in a public post shortly after the rally.

“But it is with a heavy heart for us in our family to celebrate what is otherwise a successful event for Leni as we got caught flat-footed with shady politicking schemes by local traditional politicians. Outwitted. Deceived. Betrayed,” he said.

He shared how the night before the rally, Fernandez was informed that no local candidates can go on stage much less speak before the crowd.

Yet on the night of the incident, the full slate of the BOPK was able to speak on stage and were allowed to speak and even endorsed by the vice president and senator.

“Dismayed, but he respectfully obliged; this despite being one of the major organizing parties. It only came as a surprise during the event when the other particular local group managed to go up the stage and even speak in front of the crowd and get promoted especially their mayor-vice mayor tandem,” said Noel in his post.

In an interview with CDN Digital, Fernandez could not hide his dismay over the incident even if his support to the vice president remains.

“Sa akong pagtuo, naisahan ko nila. Ngano nagpa-isa man pud ko nila. Giingnan ko nga dili ko pasak-on. Niingon si Leni, ‘Asa si Bimbo?’ pero wala nako kadungog. Didto ra kos layo, wala ko kasaka. Nganong sila nakasaka man sila?” he said.

Despite the incident, he said he will still vote for Robredo because he believes she is the best candidate for the presidency.

As for BOPK’s upstanding him, Fernandez said that he cannot tell if it was intentional. And if Robredo decides to endorse Ong, Fernandez will continue to support her.

Fernandez continues to hope Robredo will endorse him as the vice mayor of Cebu City, after all, he has poured much support for her in the past years.

“Sauna wala pay nisupport ni Leni, ako ramay nisupport ni Leni. Kana si Tommy (Osmeña) wala man na. Sila si Margot (Osmeña), wala gyod na nagtingog-tingog. Pero iyaha (Robredo) man nang decision,” said Fernandez.

CDN Digital has repeatedly tried to contact BOPK Councilor Ong to seek his comment on the issue, but the councilor has not responded to queries and calls.       /rcg

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