FILE PHOTO: Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan
MANILA, Philippines — Retired chief justice Hilario Davide Jr. believes that the pairing of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan is best suited to address the country’s problems, and overall the best tandem he has ever seen since he started voting in 1957.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda – who earlier urged Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for president – has also thrown his support to Robredo’s presidential bid.
In an ambush interview on Wednesday as Robredo toured Albay and Sorsogon, Salceda said he is endorsing the Vice President because her being president would be good for the economy.
“I am endorsing Leni Robredo as an economist because she’s good for our economy. Number one, she has no vested interest to protect, and then she’s always– she’s just guided by her genuine desire to serve the people. Not many people know that Leni actually has one cutting-edge legislation called TIMTA– Tax Incentives Management– which became the basis for [inaudible], for the PSA. That’s Republic Act 10708,” Salceda said.
“The other reason, because I really believe in her compassion, genuine compassion for the poor. So, sa lahat ng kandidato, I think mas credible ang kanyang demonstrated capacity of caring for the poor people,” he added.
‘Rare opportunity’
In a separate statement, Davide stressed that the 2022 national elections present a rare opportunity to deviate from leaders who cannot solve the country’s problems.
Such change, he said, can be achieved if people choose Robredo and Pangilinan for president and vice president, respectively.
“A rare opportunity or even the best time for such change, transformation, and renewal would be during this coming May 9, 2022, elections. We voters must show to God, our country, our people, and to the whole world that we know how to choose and elect only the best and the most qualified among the candidates,” Davide said.
“On my own, as an 86-year-old Filipino who has nothing more in heart, mind, and soul than the best interest of our country and our people, I have only Leni Robredo for President and Kiko Pangilinan for Vice President. This Leni-Kiko tandem is, to me, the best ever tandem for President and Vice President in our history since the first time I exercised my right to vote, after reaching the age of majority,” he added.
Davide further noted that of all the present roster of presidential and vice-presidential candidates only Robredo and Pangilinan “possess the spiritual, intellectual, ethical, moral, and social values and virtues demanded of an authentic public servant or servant- leader.”
“In their private and public lives they have demonstrated that they are God- loving, God-fearing, and God- serving, who at all times unselfishly share with others, especially with those most in need, the blessings God has abundantly showered on them,” he also said.
“In their public service they have demonstrated their complete fidelity to the public trust character of their office, and to their loyalty to the people and to their oath of office,” he added.
‘Good governance is good for economy’
Salceda, on the other hand, emphasized that Robredo has likewise been an advocate of good governance, which the economics expert believes would be good for the country’s recovery.
“Number three is because of good governance. Good governance will be good for the economy. One, in spending priority I truly believe that she has shown the– judicious use of scarce government resources. Number two, during the (time of) PNOY, they were able to raise a lot of money but without raising taxes,” he explained.
“And lastly, I think she has the credibility in unifying the people especially in times that we need to make sacrifices for the sake of nation-building,” he added.
The former Albay governor is also endorsing Duterte-Carpio for vice president, saying that despite belonging to different parties, Robredo and Duterte-Carpio can bring forth changes in the country.
He also thinks the combination is not hostile even if Robredo has been a constant critic of the Davao Mayor’s father, President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Both inspire investor confidence. I first publicly announced my support for VP Leni in a forum of 500 local and foreign investors, hosted by a major global bank. This announcement was very well-received,” Salceda said.
“In other words, people with the capital and confidence this country needs to feel optimistic about our prospects with VP Leni and Mayor Sara,” he added.
In a short statement, Duterte-Carpio said that she and her running mate, former senator Bongbong Marcos, have already agreed that they would not decline individual endorsements.
Robredo and Pangilinan started their campaign on a high note, attracting huge crowds as they toured around Bicol Region for the first two days of the campaign.
READ: Robredo-Pangilinan team 2022 campaign takes off from Naga City
However, both candidates are facing an uphill battle. Pulse Asia’s survey that was released in December 2021 showed that the tandem of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio are frontrunners in the 2022 race.
Marcos Jr. got 53 percent of the respondents’ approval during the December 1-6 survey while Robredo got 20 percent.
READ: Pulse Asia’s December survey: Marcos and Duterte-Carpio team is top choice
Duterte-Carpio, meanwhile, garnered 45 percent of the respondents’ approval while Pangilinan received 12 percent, even behind Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who is also running for vice president, getting 31 percent.