Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo during a press conference on Monday, November 8, 2021. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo has urged Filipinos, who may have been in conflict or disagreement with their friends and relatives due to their political stand, to start making amends, as people are hurt regardless of their beliefs.
Robredo said this on Tuesday, as she noted the views of experts that there are hidden forces trying to make Filipinos fight each other, including in social media, as it would be easier to advance personal interest when people are divided.
“Alam niyo, nitong mga nakaraang taon, nakita natin kung paano naghati-hati ang ating mga hanay. Lalo na sa social media, maraming masasakit na salitang binitawan. May mga magkakaibigan, pati na magakamamag-anak, na nag-away dahil sa posisyon sa pulitika,” she said in a video statement posted on her official Facebook page.
(We have witnessed the past few years that people became divided, especially on social media, a lot of hurtful words were delivered. Friends and relatives became enemies because of political stance.)
“Ang analysis ng mga eksperto, may mga puwersa na sadya tayong pinag-aaway. Dahil kapag watak-watak ang mga Pilipino, mas madaling maisusulong ang personal na agenda ng mga puwersang ito. Anuman ang dahilan, hindi maikakaila: nagkasakitan tayo,” she added.
(Experts say there are people who really want people to be divided. Because when we are divided, they can easily advance their political agenda.)
Robredo then reminded her supporters to engage other people of different political beliefs calmly and with respect, ahead of their Wednesday movements.
“Nasaang panig ka man, gaano man kasigurado sa paninindigan mo, may nakasakit ng kapwa. Panahon na, tayo na ang magsimula, lumapit sa mga naka-alitan, kung may nakita sa social media na hindi naaayon sa mga pinaniniwalaan natin, magpaliwanag nang mahinahon at may respeto,” Robredo said.
(Whatever side you are in, even if you are really sure of your political convictions, you have hurt someone. It is time for us to initiate reconciliation, approach other people, and when you see something untrue or something that does not coincide with our beliefs, explain in a calm and respectful manner.)
“Magpakumbaba. Mangumusta, makipag-usap, hilumin ang mga sugat, buksan muli ang landas ng pagmamahal, ipaalala ang katotohanan, hindi natin kalaban ang ating kapwa,” she added.
(Be humble. Ask them how they are doing, talk, heal all wounds, open the path for love, remind people of the truth, and remember that fellow Filipinos are not our enemy.)
According to Robredo, it is important for the people to unite because the goal to improve the country is a common aspiration regardless of political stand.
“Iisa ang pinagdadaanan natin, iisa ang mga pangarap natin, at iisa ang landas tungo rito: matino, makatao, at mapagmahal na pamamahala. Katumbas ng pagtindig ang pagtawid,” she noted.
(We are going through the same thing, we have similar aspirations, and the path toward this is only through an upright, humane, and loving government. Standing up translates to movement.)
“Hindi ito magiging madali, pero ito mismo ang ibig sabihin kapag sinabi nating radikal ang magmahal, pipiliin natin ang tama, lalabas tayo sa nakasanayan. Ito mismo ang diwa ng ating paglaban,” she explained.
(It would not be easy, but this is what we meant when we said that loving is radical, so we choose what is right and we go out of the norm. This is the essense of what we have been fighting for.)
Robredo recently made a habit of reminding her supporters to be inclusive and not divisive in engaging with people from other political camps, especially after social media saw several arguments between those backing different candidates for the 2022 national elections.
The Vice President’s supporters have been accused of being elitist and discriminating against people who are not supportive of Robredo’s possible presidential candidacy. In response, Robredo said that it would be better to do good deeds instead of bickering with other social media users.
READ: Robredo to supporters: Be calm, gentle and do good deeds
READ: Robredo to supporters: ‘Pink’ must also be experienced, help others
Robredo is running for president in what appears to be a tight race, with several big names vying for the seat. Other personalities include Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, labor leader Leody de Guzman, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, and Bong Go, former senator Bongbong Marcos, and former military general Antonio Parlade.
Despite that, she remains optimistic about her chances, after a recent survey showed that she is now the top two candidate behind Marcos — a pleasant surprise especially since they are not expecting her numbers to improve until January and February 2022.
READ: Robredo surprised over warm public response to presidential bid, unaffected by ‘frontrunner’