FILE PHOTO: Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER FILES
NAGA CITY, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday told her supporters across the country that their united and combined strength would assure triumph in the upcoming May 9 elections.
Speaking before a huge crowd in this city’s Plaza Quezon during her proclamation rally, Robredo declared she has nothing to fear because the people responded to her call last October — when she accepted the challenge to run for president — to rouse the hidden strength within them.
Robredo said the people’s support was reflected in their decision to help people when she asked them to show a radical form of love — spreading kind messages even to foes rather than engage in word wars.
“Hindi ako natatakot. Hindi ako kinakabahan. Dahil nang tinawag ko kayong gisingin ang natutulog pang lakas, buong-buo ang naging tugon ninyo: Tumulong kayo sa nangangailangan, pinakain ang nagugutom, nagbigay-lingap sa nasalanta at may sakit, nakinig sa kuwento ng bawat Pilipinong dumadaing at naghahanap ng kasangga sa kanilang mga suliranin,” she proclaimed.
“Pag-asa, pakikiisa, pagkakaisa. Dito tayo tumataya. Dito tayo tumitindig. Ihanda na ang mga bisig, dahil tinitiyak ko: Walang kayang tumumbas sa pinagbigkis nating lakas. Tara. Ipanalo na natin ito,” she added.
READ: Robredo-Pangilinan team 2022 campaign takes off from Naga City
Robredo also expressed her belief that the mindset of the Filipinos, despite differences, are united in the sense that everybody wants to improve the lives of people and that people are proud of the Filipinos’ achievements.
According to the Vice President, the bayanihan spirit amid crises and calamities — along with the promise of being present for each other — will be a guiding force for her candidacy.
“Panatag ang loob ko dahil nakikita kong magkakahanay ang paniniwala ng Pilipino; magkakarugtong ang diwa ng Pilipino; iisa ang ritmo ng dangal natin kapag may kababayang nagwawagi sa paligsahan o anumang entablado. Nagbabayanihan tayo sa harap ng anumang krisis o sakuna, nag-aambagan para tumulong sa nangangailangan, nakikibaka sa anumang sapalaran,” Robredo said.
“Hindi natin iniiwan ang isa’t isa, at habang namumulat tayong may landas tungo sa mga pangarap natin, tiyak kong aakayin natin ang isa’t isa tungo sa katuparan ng mga ito. Buong-buo ang tiwala ko sa bawat Pilipino. Tiwala ako sa tibay, sa husay ng bawat isa sa atin; sa liwanag ng ating kalooban; sa pag-asa at katotohanang magbibigkis sa ating bayan,” she added.
Robredo launched her campaign for the 2022 presidential elections in her hometown province Camarines Sur, starting with a tour of the Bicol Region from Lupi town to Libmanan, Goa, Tigaon, Iriga, and then culminating in the proclamation rally at Naga City.
She was accompanied by her running mate, vice-presidential candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and senatorial candidates Risa Hontiveros, Richard Gordon, Antonio Trillanes IV, Teddy Baguilat, Chel Diokno, Alex Lacson, and Sonny Matula.
Senator Leila de Lima, who remains detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame, was represented by her spokesperson, Atty. Dino de Leon.
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