Mara Cepeda Profile picture
Philippines Correspondent for @straits_times | AJF ‘21 fellow | @UNRAF ‘23 fellow | 📥 cmara@sph.com.sg | Views are my own.
Apr 16 7 tweets 2 min read
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo hold a joint presser in Manila. Singapore and the Philippines are celebrating 55 years of diplomatic ties this year. @straits_times Image @straits_times Manalo: The Philippines and Singapore have always had a strong, robust and dynamic relationship with several high level visits already since the start of President Marcos' administration.
Jan 18, 2023 9 tweets 4 min read
Nobel laureate & Rappler CEO Maria Ressa holds back tears as she celebrates her court victory today. “Today, facts win, truth wins, justice wins,” adds her acquittal isn’t just for Rappler “but for every Filipino who has ever been unjustly accused.” @straits_times @straits_times Read full story here: straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/p…
May 30, 2022 11 tweets 3 min read
Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri says incoming Cabinet members of Pres-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. requested that the Commission on Appointments allow Marcos to appoint officials heading Comelec, COA, CSC by bypassing Pres Rodrigo Duterte's last-minute appointees @rapplerdotcom @rapplerdotcom The confirmation hearing for these Duterte appointees were scheduled earlier today, but the CA deferred it again on Wednesday, the same day the Senate is to adjourn session.

READ: rappler.com/nation/time-ru…
May 30, 2022 4 tweets 2 min read
The Senate holds its first in-person plenary session today since implementing a hybrid set-up when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Philippines in 2020.

"It is nice to see the Senate at full house again," says Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri. @rapplerdotcom Voting 17-1-0, the Senate approves on 3rd reading the bill expanding the franchise granted to MORE Electric and Power Corporation in Iloilo. Sole dissenter was Senator Win Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on energy.
May 30, 2022 8 tweets 3 min read
Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon says draft blue ribbon panel report on Pharmally scandal, which has not been formally filed due to lack of signatures, is "not a waste of time," says it exposed anomalies that any sensible public official would avoid doing @rapplerdotcom @rapplerdotcom Drilon: It is not certainly a waste of time because even if no committee report will be supported by the majority, then we exposed the anomalies, which I am sure has put people on notice that these should not be repeated.
May 29, 2022 4 tweets 3 min read
VP Leni Robredo is back in Manila after spending the past 2 weeks in the US with her daughters Aika, Tricia & Jillian. Robredo, who’s term as VP ends by June 30, says she’s “enegized” and “ready to work again” after the longest vacation she’s had in the past decade @rapplerdotcom Even during her vacation, Robredo notes things in New York she hopes would someday be replicated in the PH, like pedestrian & biker-friendly streets, convenient public transpo, parks everywhere, restored old buildings. Some of these were her in platform as presidential bet.
May 7, 2022 85 tweets 24 min read
Presidential candidate VP Leni Robredo and running mate Sen Kiko Pangilinan are ending the grueling 90-day campaign period here in Makati. A behemoth crowd is expected to join tonight’s miting de avance. Some “Kakampinks” even camped out here last night @rapplerdotcom #PHVote Makati Ave cor Ayala Ave is a crucial site that has witnessed key moments in PH history when Filipinos took a stand vs an oppressive regime. In 1983, Makati workers walked out of their offices to protest the assassination of Martial Law dissenter, senator Ninoy Aquino.
May 7, 2022 4 tweets 3 min read
It’s the last day of campaigning for the high-stakes 2022 elections, and the indefatigable VP Leni Robredo will have another full day. The lone female presidential bet and running mate Sen Kiko Pangilinan will have a motorcade around Tarlac & Pampanga this morning @rapplerdotcom Robredo will also have a whistle stop at the volunteer center in San Fernando, Pampanga, where she’ll meet with her supporters.

She’ll then have a covenant signing with the NCR Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association Coalition in Pasay before heading to the Makati MDA.
May 5, 2022 6 tweets 6 min read
4 days before the 2022 elections, presidential candidate VP Leni Robredo is barnstorming Misamis Occidental and Agusan del Sur today.

She is warmly welcomed by "Kakampinks" in Oroquieta City. 🎥 VP Leni Media Bureau #PHVote @rapplerdotcom @rapplerdotcom LOOK: Robredo meets with Misamis Occidental Governor Philip Tan, D1 Rep Diego Ty, Plaridel Mayor Alicia Ty, Bonifacio Mayor Samson Dumanjug, and ABC chair of Baliangao Agne Yap during her visit at the Misamis Occidental Provincial Capitol. 📷 VP Leni Media Bureau #PHVote ImageImageImageImage
Apr 23, 2022 93 tweets 31 min read
We’re here at Macapagal Ave in Pasay City for presidential bet VP Leni Robredo’s grand bday rally. Her supporters are starting to flock in from across Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Heat is intense, but they came prepared with their umbrellas, mats, food,water @rapplerdotcom ImageImage As “Kakampinks” gather in Macapagal Avenue, other Robredo supportere are doing house-to-house efforts across different cities and towns to convince more voters to pick Robredo on election day. 📷 Leni People’s Campaign #PHVote ImageImageImageImage
Apr 23, 2022 9 tweets 4 min read
Hours before her bday rally, presidential candidate VP Leni Robredo is now at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat as she is set to get the key endorsement of top leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its United Bangsamoro Justice Party in the BARMM. #PHVote @rapplerdotcom This is huge, as this is the first time for the MILF to endorse a presidential candidate. They fought for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. #PHVote
Mar 28, 2022 33 tweets 17 min read
Presidential candidate VP Leni Robredo and her running mate Sen Kiko Pangilinan begin their 3-day trip to Samar and Leyte to court voters. In their grand rally in Calbayog, they are joined by ex-DILG chief & ex-mayor Mel Sarmiento. #PHVote @rapplerdotcom 📷 RPC Facebook LOOK: Scenes from Calbayog as Pangilinan delivers his speech there.
📸 Team Kiko/Dante Diosina Jr. #PHVote
Mar 26, 2022 5 tweets 3 min read
Dasmariñas City, Cavite Mayor Jenny Austria Barzaga and her husband Cavite D4 Rep Pidi Barzaga, both clad in pink and white shirts during their proclamation rally, announce they’re backing VP Leni Robredo for president. #PHVote @rapplerdotcom ImageImage In endorsing Robredo, Pidi Barzaga is going against position of the party where he is president, the National Unity Party. NUP earlier announced in a statement it is backing the frontrunner, the late dictator’s son Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Read: rappler.com/nation/electio… #PHVote
Mar 26, 2022 4 tweets 3 min read
Look who’s here at the @rapplerdotcom office: presidential candidate and VP Leni Robredo, who’s next to be interviewed by Nobel laureate Maria Ressa for our upcoming presidential interviews. #PHVote Image Right after this interview, Robredo tells us she’s heading to the Camanava rally tonight, where her “Kakampink” supporters are already waiting for her. #PHVote Image
Mar 25, 2022 45 tweets 18 min read
I'm following presidential candidate and VP Leni Robredo as she joins the Usapang Halalan 2022: The CBCP presidential forum, now being aired this afternoon. #PHVote @rapplerdotcom @rapplerdotcom We're airing the CBCP presidential forum live on Rappler! Watch here: #PHVote
Mar 25, 2022 6 tweets 3 min read
WATCH: Speaking in Hiligaynon in his home turf Roxas City, ex-DILG chief Mar Roxas endorses his former running mate VP Leni Robredo for president, asks his kasimanwas to give their full support to Robredo. #PHVote @rapplerdotcom Roxas recalls why he chose Robredo as running mate in 2016: It was clear to me that the person who had my full trust because she had all the qualifications, not just intellectual qualifications, but also qualifications of the heart, was no other than Leni Robredo. #PHVote
Mar 25, 2022 26 tweets 9 min read
Davao del Norte D1 Rep and Partido Reporma pres Bebot Alvarez says P779.406M he had asked Sen Ping Lacson was meant for poll watchers, to help mount a credible campaign. He provides computation how he arrived at the amount. #PHVote @rapplerdotcom Alvarez: A national party, as well as candidates running for a national post, need poll watchers per polling precincts. As of 2019 data, we have roughly 389,703 polling precincts. #PHVote
Mar 24, 2022 9 tweets 5 min read
Presidential candidate VP Leni Robredo is stepping into Pres Rodrigo Duterte’s home region Davao for the first time on the campaign trail today. Her supporters are currently holding a grand rally for her at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos City. #PHVote @rapplerdotcom Robredo will then be visiting Digos City Hall and visit Bishop Guillermo Afable at the Diocese of Digos, before heading on to Tagum City for a meet and greet w/ Davao del Norte Gov Edwin Jubahib and One Davao del Norte officials. #PHVote
Mar 23, 2022 5 tweets 2 min read
Aika Robredo, eldest daughter of presidential bet VP Leni Robredo, also appeals to Kakampinks to stop calling supporters of other bets as “bobo” or “babayaran,” tells them there’s so much work that still needs to be done to convert the unconvinced. #PHVote @rapplerdotcom ImageImageImage Aika Robredo: Rallies are great energizers… But just like Patty, I was also doing house to house and market runs prior to PasigLaban that I went to the rally slightly tempered down by my firsthand encounters in different communities. #PHVote
Mar 23, 2022 8 tweets 5 min read
Sobering reminder from Tricia Robredo, daughter of presidential bet VP Leni Robredo: Don’t want to be the one who spoils the party but let’s address the elephant in the room: our rallies have been the absolute best but the situation on the ground is very different. @rapplerdotcom ImageImageImageImage Tricia Robredo: Favorite ko talaga ang market runs at house-to-house campaigns kasi ito rin ang nakasanayan namin sa lokal nung si Papa pa yung kandidato. Mas intimate at mas nakakausap mo rin ang mga tao na mababait naman in general. #PHVote
Mar 11, 2022 95 tweets 44 min read
Presidential candidate VP Leni Robredo begins her tour of Negros Occidental in San Carlos City, where her supporters warmly welcome her at 7:30 am: “And this early, people are already so fired up 🔥 What energy!!! Proceeding to Sagay now,” she says. #PHVote @rapplerdotcom In San Carlos City, Robredo is joined by Negros Occidental Governor Bong Lacson, who is endorsing her for president.

READ: rappler.com/nation/electio… #PHVote