Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo has formally announced she will run for the presidency in the upcoming 2022 elections. Robredo filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) on October 7, Thursday.
Robredo, 56, and chairperson of the Liberal Party (LP), joins a growing list of presidential contenders including Bongbong Marcos, Isko Moreno, Manny Pacquiao, and Panfilo Lacson, among others.
“Buong buo ang loob ko ngayon. Kailangan nating palayain ang sarili mula sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Lalaban ako. Lalaban Tayo. Inihahain ko ang aking sarili bilang kandidato sa pagka pangulo sa halalan 2022,” Robredo said.
Robredo has accepted the nomination of the opposition coalition of 1Sambayan as a presidential contender. She made an announcement after her rival, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., announced his presidential bid last October 5, Tuesday.
Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez confirms she will run as an Independent candidate and not under the Liberal Party.
“Buong buo ang tiwala ko na magtatagumpay tayo,” Robredo added.
The Vice President is a vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration’s performance. She believes that the Filipinos have the right to criticize and condemn the Duterte administration in its COVID-19 response.
Robredo had said that she was compelled to gun for Marcos’s vision to reenter the Malacanang. According to her supporters, her track record as VP proves her capability in leading the Philippines and combatting the pandemic by her effective response.
Robredo has been known for her active pandemic response programs and effective plans and projects, especially for victims of calamities.
Robredo had reified and given an immediate COVID-19 response programs and initiatives nationwide by giving and delivering Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health care workers. Robredo also started an initiative to provide jobs for women by making local PPEs.
She provided shuttle services, dormitories, hot meals, financial assistance for all the medical frontliners. Her Flagship program “Angat Buhay” funded projects for empowering basic sectors such as market vendors, fisherfolks, and farmers. She served as the Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and provided low-cost housing for 46,000 families, and started the construction of at least 17,000 houses for the homeless affected by Typhoon Yolanda.
She expanded her initiatives of Angat Buhay Villages in Marawi, Albay, Lupi, Sagnay and Camarines Sur to help the typhoon victims who lost their livelihood and homes. As the pandemic continues, she conducted and initiated programs for Vaccines Express especially for the tricycle drivers, Community Mart, Swab Cab, a medical project for Bayanihan E-Konsulta.
Renz Saavedra, a supporter of VP Leni Robredo, voiced the vice president’s effort to have united opposition.
“I’m genuinely happy for her decision. Leni is a self-made woman. she can make the most out of almost nothing. Wag na tayo magplastikan, Kung track record at competence lang ang pag-uusapan. She is the most qualified and readiest of all aspiring candidates. Kahit anong black propaganda ang ibato sa kanya, her untainted record speaks for itself.”Saavedra said.
Opposition Leader Robredo was supported by Ex Senator Antonio Trillanes, as she announced her presidential bid for Halalan 2022.
“Nagbunyi ang Magdalo sa desisyon ni VP Leni na pamunuan ang tunay na oposisyon sa 2022 Election sa pagtakbo bilang Presidente. Makakasama niya ang Magdalo para maipanalo ang laban na’to, at tuluyang iahon ang ating bansa mula sa pagkasirang gawa ni duterte.” Trillanes said.
Lawyers for Leni or the Lawyers against Discrimination group expressed their support to Robredo with their campaign “Paninindigan ng Suporta para kay VP Robredo.”.
Kaya Natin Movement, co-founded by VP Robredo’s late Husband Jesse Robredo, voiced that Robredo is “the only candidate of principle and excellent capability in good governance”.
Senator Francisco “Kiko” Pangilinan is confirmed to be the Vice Presidential pick of Robredo in a press conference held this morning, October 8.
Featured image courtesy of Rappler.
