Robredo to 2022 Pisay graduates: Serve the people

Vice President Robredo arrives at the Philippine Science High School main campus where she gave the graduation keynote speech on Saturday. (Facebook of Vice President Robredo).

MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday urged this year’s graduates of the Philippine Science High School (Pisay) main campus to serve the Filipino people.

During the school’s first in-person graduation exercises amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Robredo challenged the graduates to use their skills and knowledge to improve the state of the country.

“Maraming mahuhusay at matatalinong tao ang tumugon kapag tinawag na maglingkod; ang hamon sa inyo, huwag nang hintayin pang matawag. Kayo na mismo ang maghanap ng landas, tumukoy ng mga puwang na dapat punan, tumungo sa laylayan, at doon maglingkod,” she said.

(Many smart and capable individuals answer the call to serve. The challenge to you is not to wait for the call. Take the initiative. Find the gaps that need to be filled, be involved and serve the marginalized).

Robredo also called on the graduates to counter disinformation as she noted that education is attached with the duty to stand for the truth, especially as fake news continue to thrive.

READ: Robredo urges ‘digital natives’ to fight fake news

“Kapangyarihan itong may kaakibat na responsibilidad. Nasa panahon tayo ngayon kung kailan parang nagiging palakasan na lang ng boses ang pagtukoy sa katotohanan. Aktibong pinapalaganap ang kasinungalingan; ginagawa itong ugat ng hidwaan. Nakikita natin ito, hindi lang sa pulitika o kasaysayan, pero pati sa agham,” she stressed.

(It is a power that comes with a responsibility. Determining the truth is now being based on how loudly you are asserting it. Lies are actively being disseminated and this becomes the root of disputes among us. We are seeing this not just in politics or history, but even in science.)

Robredo then warned that speaking the truth may be disheartening when others continue to resist it, but she echoed her call for the graduating class to remain grounded on what they have learned.

“Tandaan na tungkulin ninyong ipaglaban ang makatuwiran, dahil sinanay kayo sa mataas na antas ng pagkamulat. Tungkulin ninyong tumindig, tumawid sa kapwa, at ipadama sa kanilang may iisang katotohanan tayong pinagsasaluhan. Kung may mali, kung may ‘di makatuwiran, kayo ang inaasahang makakakita at mangunguna sa pagtutuwid nito,” she added.

(Remember that it is your duty to fight for what is just, because you were granted a higher level of enlightenment. It is your responsibility to stand up, to cross over disconnects, and allow others to feel that we only share one truth. When something is wrong or unjust, we trust that you will be at the forefront of discerning and correcting it.)

Robredo, who is set to end her term as Vice President on June 30, has previously expressed her intention to transform her Angat Buhay volunteer network into a non-governmental organization.

Angat Buhay – the campaign message of her failed presidential bid – was a cry for good governance and accountability.

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