Vice President Leni Robredo formally announced her bid for the presidency in the 2022 national elections before her staff and supporters in a brief ceremony held at the Quezon City Reception House on Thursday, Oct. 7. (Photo by OVP)
MANILA, Philippines — As a mother, Vice President Leni Robredo believes that love is not measured with how much a person can endure, but also with the willingness to fight for the people he or she loves.
According to Robredo, this is another factor that compelled her to gun for the presidency in 2022, as she believes those who love should fight for their love.
“Ina akong nakikita ang pagdurusa ng minamahal kong bansa. Naniniwala ako: Ang pag-ibig, nasusukat hindi lang sa pagtitiis, kundi sa kahandaang lumaban, kahit gaano kahirap, para matapos na ang pagtitiis,” she said in her speech.
(I am a mother who sees the suffering of my beloved country. I firmly believe: Love is not measured by forbearance alone but by a readiness to do battle.)
“Ang nagmamahal, kailangang ipaglaban ang minamahal (Whoever loves must do battle for the beloved),” she added.
Robredo earlier announced her intention to run for the president, saying that she is doing so to end the people’s sufferings caused by the current government. But she also admitted during the early part of her speech that running for a higher post was a hard decision to make.
READ: ‘Buong-buo ang loob ko’: Robredo to run for president in 2022
“Puno ng taimtim na pagninilay ang mga nakaraang araw. Salamat sa lahat ng nagparating ng suporta, sumabay sa dasal, at umunawa sa pinagdaanan kong discernment process ukol sa halalan ng 2022,” she explained.
(The past few days have been filled with solemn reflection. Thank you to all who supported me, prayed with me, and patiently understood my discernment process for the 2022 elections.)
“Sa prosesong ito, walang naging lugar ang ego o pansarili kong interes. Mabigat na responsibilidad ang pagka-Pangulo, at hindi ito puwedeng ibase sa ambisyon o sa pag-uudyok ng iba. Pagdating sa pamumuno, iisa lang dapat ang konsiderasyon: Ano ba ang pinakamabuti para sa bansa natin?” she asked.
(There was no room for ego or self-interest in this process. The presidency is an enormous responsibility, and a decision whether to run for president or not cannot be based on ambition or outside prodding. When it comes to leadership, there should only be one consideration: What is best for our country?)
She then revealed that thoughts of going back to her hometown province of Camarines Sur after her term in 2022 were heavily considered.
Prior to her announcement, she was rumored to be making a bid for Camarines Sur’s gubernatorial seat, with local parties already vowing to support her.
READ: Local political party pledges support to Robredo if she runs for CamSur governor
“Mahaba ang daang tinahak natin para makarating sa araw na ito. Hindi ko binalak tumakbo. Iniisip ko nang bumalik na lang sa probinsya namin, kung saan marami rin ang umaasa sa aking tumulong magpanday ng pagbabago,” she disclosed.
(The road to today has been long. I had not planned to run. I was already thinking of heading back home to our province, where so many are also relying on me to help bring about change.)
Robredo’s decision came just a day before the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), as she admittedly spent time trying to build the widest opposition alliance.
The Vice President talked with other candidates in the 2022 presidential race, including Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Senator Manny Pacquiao. However, talks did not prosper as all three already filed their own COCs for president.
READ: Robredo to file her COC for president at 3 p.m. Thursday — OVP