VP Leni welcomes public support for presidential bid amid inadequate resources

Vice President Leni Robredo personally filed on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, her certificate of candidacy for president in the 2022 elections at the Harbor Garden tent of Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City.  (Photo courtesy of OVP)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday lamented the lack of machinery and resources but welcomed the “overwhelming” public support  after she decided to run for president in the 2022 elections.

“Alam natin kung gaano kahirap kasi wala tayong makinarya ngayon, hindi tulad nung 2016. Wala tayong resources na kailangan na kailangan sa kampanya. Hindi tayo naghanda,” Robredo said during her  BISErbisyong LENI radio program aired on DZXL.

(We know how difficult it is because we do not have machinery unlike in 2016. We do not have the resources needed for campaigning. We did not prepare.)

Robredo, however, cited the public’s overwhelming support after she announced her presidential bid.

“Hindi natin inaasahan ‘yung overwhelming na reaction ng tao. Akala namin ‘yung matutuwa lang ‘yung dati nang supporters,” Robredo shared.

(We did not expect the public’s overwhelming reaction. We thought only our supporters would be happy.)

“Pero nakikita namin ngayon, ibang-iba. After the announcement, ang dami talagang nag-vo-volunteer. Ang daming gumagastos ng sariling pera. Ang iba nga nakikita ko na lang sa Facebook. Ang daming nag-iisip ng mga paraan kung paano makatulong,” she went on, expressing appreciation to those who supported her.

(Now, it is different. After the announcement, many people volunteered and shelled out their own money. I saw some of it on Facebook. Many people are thinking of ways to help.)

Undeterred

“Alam natin na marami sa mga kumakandidato, ilang taon na naghahanda. Tayo ay wala talaga,” she added.

(We know that many of the candidates have been preparing for years.)

 “Pero lagi ko naman ‘to sinasabi na tayo kahit mahirap ‘pag naramdaman natin na ito ‘yung tamang dapat gawin, handa tayo dapat isuong ‘yung kahirapan,” said Robredo.

(But, like I always say, although it is difficult, if we feel that this is the right thing to do, we are ready to take on the  challenges.)

Public support

Robredo also mentioned that the public’s support for her may be an affirmation that her decision to run is right.

“Sabi ko nga kanina wala akong resources. Wala tayong makinarya pero ‘yung suporta ng taumbayan nagpapakita na ‘pag taumbayan na talaga ‘yung nag-desisyong gumalaw, wala nang laban ‘yung laki ng makinarya ng iba. Kasi tao na ‘to,” the vice president pointed out.

(As I’ve said, I do not have the resources and machinery. But the public’s support shows that if they mobilize, we can outdo the machinery of other candidates.)

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