FILE PHOTO: Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER FILES
LUCENA CITY––At least 84 Catholic priests in Quezon province are throwing their support to the presidential candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
“Matapos magsama-sama at magnilay ay nagkakaisa ang aming paninindigan upang iendorso ang kandidatura ni Kiko Pangilinan bilang Pangalawang Pangulo at ni Leni Robredo bilang Pangulo ng Pilipinas sa darating na Halalan Mayo 9, 2022,” the priests said in their statement of support, a copy of which was forwarded to the Inquirer.
(After gathering and meditating, we have strongly made a stand to endorse the candidacies of Kiko Pangilinan for vice president and Leni Robredo as president for the coming elections on May 9, 2022.)
The statement cited several reasons why they chose Robredo over other presidential candidates and emphasized that she is qualified to become the next president.
“She is an intelligent and humble lawyer – abides by and respects the laws of the land, pays her taxes, and has presented a good platform of government that would uplift the lives of Filipinos,” the priests said.
The priests said that long before Robredo entered politics, “isa na siyang lingkod bayan (she was already a public servant).”
“Inaabot nya ang mga taong nasa laylayan upang tumulong bilang abogada, lumalakad sya kasama ng nga mahihirap upang itanghal ang kanilang dignidad,” the clergies said.
(She reaches out to those at the fringes of society to help them as a lawyer, she walks with the poor to honor their dignity.)
The priests also noted that the office of the Vice President had been receiving the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit (COA) for the past several years.
“Never has Leni been involved in corruption. Her terms as a lawmaker and vice president were marked with excellence and transparency,” the priests stressed.
The priests clarified that their support for Robredo is also the same for Pangilinan.
“Katulad ni Leni. Si Kiko ay isang mabuti, matapat, matapang at maaasahang lingkod bayan (Like Leni. Kiko is a good, truthful, brave and trustworthy public servant),” they said.
The declaration of support for Robredo and Pangilinan tandem was read at the grand rally of the two candidates in this city on Thursday.
The local priest’s declaration of support for Robredo and Pangilinan is the latest among the growing number of church people, including several lay organizations, who are openly supporting their candidacies.