MANILA, Philippines — In what can be seen as a swipe at other personalities in the 2022 national elections, Vice President Leni Robredo asked where people stand on issues if they cannot call out mistakes and make compromises for political viability.
Robredo said during her speech on Thursday — where she announced her intention to run as president for the 2022 national elections — that the country can only escape its current dismal situation by replacing not only names but the ongoing culture of corruption and incompetence as well.
She then insisted that candidates must be ready to contradict and criticize the agenda and interests of people who are responsible for the current situation.
“Handa dapat tayong iwaksi nang buong-buo ang mga agenda, ang mga interes, ang mismong mga tao at klase ng pulitika na sanhi ng pinagdaraanan ng bansa natin ngayon,” Robredo said.
(We should be prepared to take out entirely the agendas, the interests, the very people and the kind of politics that is the root of all that we are going through right now.)
“Kung hindi ka lilinya nang malinaw; kung makikipagkompromiso ka; kung hindi mo man lang kayang sabihin [na] mali ang mali—na kaninong panig ka ba talaga?” she asked.
(If you will not take a clear line; if you are willing to compromise; if you can’t even say that what is wrong is wrong — then whose side are you really on?)
And if she were to be asked, Robredo said that her stand has always been clear: she sides with the people who have been working tirelessly to escape the pandemic
“Malinaw kung nasaan ako: Nasa panig tayo ng mga sinasagad ang lahat para iraos ang sarili, ang pamilya, ang kapwa, mula sa pandemyang ito,” she said.
(Where I stand is clear: I am on the side of all who are doing what they can to lift themselves, their families, and their fellow human beings from this pandemic.)
“Iba-iba man ang konteksto natin, pamilyar sa ating lahat ang pakiramdam ng pagiging nasa laylayan; ang paghahanap ng makakapitan, ‘yung handa kang kumatok sa kahit saang pintuan, ‘yung halos isigaw mo sa kahit sinong makakarinig: Tulong,” she added.
(Though our contexts may be different, the feeling of being in the margins should be familiar to all — when you grasp for a lifeline when you just want to knock on any door when you cry out to whoever might be able to hear: Help.)
Robredo has been adamant before the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) about forming a wide opposition alliance to prevent a similar administration to that of President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to her, she was willing to step back from the presidential race if that decision would help prevent another Duterte brand of leadership, and to stop the return of the Marcoses to the Malacañang.
While she did not mention names, several of the country’s current candidates bear ties to the administration or to the Marcoses, like Senator Bong Go who is running for vice president, and Senator Bongbong Marcos who is gunning for the presidency.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, another presidential candidate, was also accused of being a secret candidate of President Duterte. However, he denied such allegations, even saying that anyone who says that must be high on illegal drugs.
READ: Moreno a Duterte secret candidate? ‘Whoever says this is high on drugs’
Earlier, Robredo revealed that the unity talks she initiated with the various presidential candidates including Moreno, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Senator Manny Pacquiao were never about garnering support for her candidacy.
Instead, she said that it was more of identifying if the candidates share the same principles and views about the current government.
Robredo ended months of speculations about her next political plans, announcing her intention to run for president to end the people’s sufferings.
According to her, the country would be at a disadvantage if people with personalities similar to the present kind of governance win in the 2022 national elections.
READ: ‘Buong-buo ang loob ko’: Robredo to run for president in 2022
READ: Robredo to file her COC for president at 3 p.m. Thursday — OVP
je
