Leni Robredo
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan is certain that “underdog” Vice President Leni Robredo will become a strong contender for the presidency once she declares her candidacy in the 2022 national elections.
Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party where Robredo serves as chairman, said that the vice president’s survey numbers, released by Pulse Asia earlier this week, were even lower that her showing in the same period in 2015.
“I have absolutely no doubt that when she does declare her candidacy, kapag luminaw sa taumbayan ang pagkatao niya (once her personality becomes clear to the citizens), she will become an even stronger center of gravity for those who believe in strong, competent, compassionate, courageous leadership,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
“It has happened before; being an underdog is nothing new for VP Leni,” he added.
In the Pulse Asia survey where some 2,400 respondents participated, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and President Rodrigo Duterte were the frontrunners among candidates for the two top elective positions in the country.
Second place on the list of preferred presidential bets is Manila Mayor Isko Moreano (14 percent), who almost tied with former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who received a 13-percent reference.
Meanwhile, Robredo ranked 6th in the recent Pulse Asia survey on Filipinos’ top bets for president in the 2022 elections with a six-percent preference, a placing that her camp regarded as decent.
“Kitang-kita naman na ang focus ni VP Leni nasa pagtulong sa tao lalo na dahil pandemya. Remember that the last time she actually went all-out on the campaign trail, she rose from one percent to victory,” the senator said.
(It’s obvious that VP Leni’s focus is on helping the people especially during the pandemic. Remember that the last time she actually went all-out on the campaign trail, she rose from one percent to victory.)
Pangilinan also recalled that former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino “at this point in 2009 was not even in the polls.”
If Aquino were still alive, Pangilinan said the former president would likely tell Robredo that “she is on the right track,” citing calls for her to run.
“Continue helping people. Focus on being there for our people. Ngayon pa lang, in fact, tumutugon na ang taumbayan. Kabi-kabila ang panawagan sa kanyang tumakbo,” the senator said.
(Continue helping people. Focus on being there for our people. Even now, in fact, the people are calling. Pleas for her to run come from everywhere.)
“I’ve worked with PNoy (Aquino). Iisa ang mga batayang paninindigan ni PNoy at VP Leni. There is no doubt in our minds that if PNoy were still around, his support for VP Leni would be unequivocal,” Pangilinan went on.
(I’ve worked with PNoy. PNoy at VP Leni’s foundational stands are one. There is no doubt in our minds that if PNoy were still around, his support for VP Leni would be unequivocal.)
Robredo has yet to announce her candidacy but earlier said that she is “open” to a presidential run in 2022. — Faith Yuen Wei Ragasa, trainee