Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan listen to questions during the announcement of the latter’s candidacy for vice president in the 2022 elections. Screengrab from Facebook/OVP
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan is officially Vice President Leni Robredo’s running mate for the 2022 presidential elections, formally announcing their tandem on Friday.
During a press briefing on Friday at Robredo’s office in the Quezon City Reception House, she introduced Pangilinan as her running mate, saying that she is confident that the Senator can address concerns and the responsibility of a higher office.
“Matagal na natin siyang kilala, subok na subok pagdating sa serbisyong publiko, bilang senador at champion ng justice at human rights, bilang dating presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization, bilang tiga-pagsulong ng karapatan at kapakanan ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda, talagang ibinuhos niya ang kanyang buong sarili para maiangat ang ordinaryong Pilipino,” Robredo said.
(We have known him for a long time already, he has a lot of experience in public service — as a senator, a champion of justice and human rights; as a former presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization; and as an advocate of farmers and fishers’ rights and welfare, he really poured himself out to improve the lives of the ordinary Filipinos.)
“At wala akong duda na kayang-kaya at handang-handa na siyang tumugon sa mas malaking hamon, at sa mas malakas na tawag ng paglilingkod. Karangalan ko na ipakilala sa inyo ang magiging kasangga natin sa pagtakbo, ang ating bise presidente, walang iba kung hindi si Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan,” she added.
(And I am sure that he can adequately respond to more significant issues and a stronger call for public service. My honor is to present to you our partner in our candidacy, our vice president, none other than Senator Francis’ Kiko’ Pangilinan.)
According to Robredo, she accompanied Pangilinan earlier to file the latter’s certificate of candidacy (COC) as vice president.
“Kahapon po, nagdeklara tayo ng kandidatura sa pagka-pangulo, dumeretso tayo agad sa Comelec sa filing venue, sa Sofitel para pormal na maghain ng ating certificate of candidacy […] kaninang umaga po bumalik tayo sa Sofitel para samahan naman ang isa pa nating kaakibat sa misyong ito,” Robredo explained.
(Yesterday, I declared my own candidacy for the presidency, and we immediately filed our certificate of candidacy before the Comelec, at the venue set up in Sofitel. This morning, we went back there again to accompany another candidate who will help us in this mission.)
Robredo announced her candidacy for president on Thursday, ending months-long speculations about whether she would pursue higher office in the 2022 national elections.
Then after her declaration, rumors spread that it was Pangilinan who was picked as her running mate.
As of now, it is unclear if Pangilinan will also run as an independent candidate to follow Robredo’s lead, who filed her COC as an independent bet. Both Pangilinan and Robredo are the Liberal Party (LP) officials, acting as its president and chairperson, respectively.
READ: ‘Buong-buo ang loob ko’: Robredo to run for president in 2022
READ: Kiko Pangilinan chosen by various groups to be Robredo’s vice president