MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo on Wednesday said that Angela Merkel and Jacida Ardern are some of the world leaders she is inspired by.
“Sa mga current world leaders may dalawa, tatlo akong hinahangaan talaga, ang isa dito si Angela Merkel, na kareretire lang,” said Robredo during the DZRH Presidential Job Interview.
(Of the current world leaders there are two or three I really admire, one of them is Angela Merkel, who just retired.)
Merkel, former German politician and scientist, served as the chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021.
“Hinahangaan ko siya kasi despite the fact na isa siya sa pinaka-powerful na leaders sa mundo, namaintain niya ‘yung kanyang pagiging simple, ‘yung kaniyang private persona,” said Robredo.
(I admire her because despite the fact that she is one of the most powerful leaders in the world, she maintained her simplicity, her private persona.)
“Kung ito ngang napakalaking lider naging posible na ‘yung kanyang private life ay hindi naspoil ng power, pwede rin sa atin,” she added.
(If this huge leader made it possible for her private life not to be spoiled by power, so can we.)
Another world leader Robredo mentioned is New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacina Ardern, who, according to her, has something she doesn’t have.
“Nitong panahon ng pandemic ‘yung paniniwala ko napakahusay ng kanyang leadership and meron siya na wala ako, at ‘yun ‘yung husay niya mag-communicate,” said Robredo.
(During this pandemic, I believe her leadership was very good and she has something I don’t and that is her excellent communication skills.)
Robredo explained that she admired Ardern’s ability to appease the anxiety of her constituents, making an intense crisis seem less difficult.
“Tingin ko kasi ‘yung tao kasi pag mahusay ka makipagcommunicate nararamdaman niya ‘yung affinity sa’yo,” explained Robredo.
(I think the people, when you communicate well, can feel their affinity with you.)
“At hindi lang ‘yung political ‘yung gains nun pero nararamdaman niya na bahagi ka bahagi siya ng governance mo at sa tingin ko napakahalaga nun,” she added.
(And it’s not just about political gains, but she also makes them feel that they’re a part of her governance and I think that’s very important.)
Both leaders mentioned by Robredo were also recognized by American business magazine Forbes for their leadership especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Forbes, one of the things that the countries in the globe that responded to the epidemic the most effectively shared was that they were all governed by women.
Robredo is the sole female presidential candidate in the upcoming 2022 elections. If elected, she will be the third female president in the history of the country after former Presidents Cory Aquino and Gloria Arroyo.
RELATED STORIES
Robredo enjoins women to answer leadership calls, face trials with resolve
Women leaders share how they ‘Choose to Challenge’