IN A powerful and emotionally charged speech during her slate’s miting de avance, Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat took direct aim at her political rival, former congressman Mayo Almario, responding point by point to the criticisms raised against her and drawing a bold line between the Rabat legacy and what she called the "outsiders" trying to take over Mati.
On the issue of drug testing, Rabat confidently responded: “Game ako sa drug test—pero dapat sabay din sa mental test!” drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.
She said leaders must be accountable not just physically but mentally, especially when entrusted with the future of a city.
Regarding Almario’s repeated call for a public debate, Rabat dismissed the idea: “Lahat naman kami nakapaglingkod na. Wala na tayong dapat pag-debatehan. Ang importante, ano ang nagawa namin para sa tao. Hayaan na ang taumbayan ang humusga.”
She also blasted Almario's proposal to cover the Mayor FGR Mati Park and Baywalk.
“Ang MFGR Park ay open park para sa lahat. Bakit mo tatakpan? Dapat ‘yan pinagyayaman, hindi binabakuran.”
Rabat’s most pointed remarks came as she addressed the deeper political narrative unfolding in Mati.
“Kami mahal ng tao. Kami ang lumad ng Mati. Kayo, dayo lang kayo. Pinabigyan kayo ng Mati noon, pero panahon na para palitan kayo,” she declared.
“Ang mga Almario, taga-Cebu. Ang mga Rabat, dito ipinanganak, dito namuhay, at dito naglingkod.”
She reminded the people of the Rabat family's decades-long commitment to Mati, citing the family’s donation of hectares of land for public use.
“Hindi na kailangang ipagsigawan, pero ang totoo—ang mga Rabat ay nagbigay ng napakalaking lupa para sa dakbayan, hindi para sa sarili. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit mahal kami ng tao.”
The mayor ended her speech with gratitude to her family, particularly her niece and nephews, including Vice Mayor Enzo Rabat, Sito Rabat, Paolo Rabat, and Tara Rabat.
“Hindi ko ito magagawa mag-isa. Salamat sa aking pamilya, sa mga pamangkin kong tumutulong sa akin. Sama-sama naming itinaguyod ang Mati, at itutuloy pa natin ito.”
With just days to go before the elections, Rabat’s message resonated as a fierce defense of her leadership and a call to protect what she called the true spirit of Mati. PR
