MANILA, Philippines — Former vice president Leni Robredo on Tuesday encouraged fresh graduates of the University of the Philippines College of Law to never give up despite injustices and immense disinformation.
In her speech before members of the UP Law Batch 2022, Robredo recognized that it may not be that easy to do but she gave assurance that like colonization and the dictatorship the country had gone through, “the time we’re living in now” should also pass.
She also reminded the new law graduates that their most important client is the Filipino people.
“Binubura ang kasaysayan, pinapalitan ng kasinungalingan. Binabalot tayo ng pangamba at mga tanong para sa ating kinabukasan. Ano na ang mangyayari sa katarungan, sa mga karapatan? Mapapanagot pa kaya ang mga may kasalanan? Mapapagbayad pa ba ang mga may utang sa bayan? Para saan pa ang paninindigan – para saan pa ang batas kung tila ba binabaluktot ito ng mga nasa kapangyarihan para isulong ang sariling agenda?” she said.
(History is being erased, being changed with lies. Doubts and questions about our future envelope us. What will happen to justice, to our rights? Will the perpetrators be held accountable? Will those who owe the country pay? What are principles for – what is the law for if those in power seem to bend it to promote their own agenda?)
“Pero bilang kapwa abugadong nauna sa inyo, hayaan ninyong magbahagi ng dalawang paniniwala. Una, lilipas din ito. Lumipas ang diktadurya, lumipas ang mga pananakop ng mga dayuhan.”
(But as a lawyer that came before you, let me share two of my beliefs. First, this too shall pass. The dictatorship passed, colonization of foreign powers passed.)
“Pero hindi nito ibig sabihin na mag-aabang na lang tayo. Hindi nito ibig sabihin na kailangan nating yumuko at manahimik at hayaang mangibabaw ang mali,” she also said. “Kailangan laging naroon tayo para pumalag laban sa kahit na anong kasamaan.”
(But this does not mean that we will just wait. This does not mean that we have to bow down and be silent and let wrong prevail. We must always be there to fight against any evil.)
Robredo continued: “Kaya ang pangalawa kong paniniwala, lilipas lang ito kung hindi tayo susuko. Kung patuloy nating igigiit ang tama at makatwiran sa bawat sandali.”
(That’s why my second belief is, that this would only pass if we do not surrender. If we continue to insist on what is right and reasonable at every moment.)
The former vice president acknowledged that in fighting, there may be times when people will reach the point of feeling alone and exhausted. But she said that even a small action could lead to something great.
“Sa paglaban, maaaring umabot sa puntong pakiramdam nating wala na tayong katabi. Maaaring mauubos ang boses natin, o mapagod tayo sa paninindigan. Pero kailangan nating maunawaan na ang bawat maliit na kilos, bawat sandaling kumakahig tayo sa pader, umaambag sa pag-asa na balang araw, guguho rin ang pader na ito,” she added.
(In fighting, it can get to the point where we feel like we have no one beside us. Our voice may be exhausted, or we may tire of taking a stand. But we need to understand that every small gesture, every moment we lean against the wall, contributes to the hope that one day, this wall will collapse, too.)
Robredo ran during the 2022 presidential race under a platform of government reform, transparency, and accountability, which relied heavily on a grassroots campaign and volunteerism among young Filipinos.
READ: Robredo: Rare force and flair of ‘a people’s campaign’
READ: Robredo’s people’s campaign would prevail on D-Day despite surveys, says spox
But her presidential bid fell short of touching base with several other sectors, leading to the victory of now President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — who was also Robredo’s opponent in the 2016 vice presidential race.
Robredo garnered more than 15 million votes while Marcos Jr. got more than 31 million votes in the May 9, 2022 polls.
Despite losing, Robredo’s campaign developed a huge volunteer base with passionate supporters vowing to help her future initiatives, like her Angat Buhay non-government organization.
Proof of this was seen also during the UP Law graduation rites when graduates chanted the now-famous “Ang Presidente” jingle of the opposition, and Robredo’s campaign promise “Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat.”
In the end, Robredo expressed confidence that UP’s law graduates would be instrumental in ensuring that the country would be on the right track.
“Bawat hakbang, gaano man kabigat ang ating mga paa, isinusulong tayo sa landas tungo sa tunay at makabuluhang pagbabago. Kaya mga graduates ng UP College of Law, matimbang ang mga sablay na nakasukbit sa mga balikat niyo. Inaasahan kayo, hindi lang para patuloy na dalhin ang apoy ng katarungan, pero para ipagtanggol sa makapangyarihang hanging pilit na iihip dito,” she said.
(Every step, no matter how heavy our feet, moves us forward on the path towards real and meaningful change. So graduates of the UP College of Law, the burdens on your shoulders are heavy. You are expected, not only to continue to carry the fire of justice but also to defend against the mighty winds that will blow upon it.)
“Buong-buo ang tiwala ko sa utak at sa puso, sa tapang at talino ng mga taga UP. Alam kong lalo pang titibay ang loob ninyo, lalo pang lalakaas ang tinig, lalo pa kayong titindig sa mga darating na panahon,” she added.
(I have complete trust in the brains and hearts, in the courage and intelligence of the people of UP. I know that your heart will be stronger, your voice will be louder, and you will stand up even more in the future.)