Groups push Robredo to run for VP

Several civil society groups, government officials and individuals are scheduled to launch the Leni Robredo for Vice President Movement on Wednesday morning at Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City.

The aim is to persuade Robredo to run for Vice President in next year’s elections and to encourage Filipinos to volunteer for her campaign, organizers said on Sunday.

Civil society groups Kaya Natin! Movement (KN) and Urban Poor Associates (UPA) will lead the launch.

“We know she’s reluctant to run for VP, but if she sees the ground swell of support, maybe she will change her mind,” Harvey Keh, KN board member, said by phone. “We’re persuading her to take on the challenge to run for Vice President.”

Keh said the movement hoped that Robredo would be considered the running-mate of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, whom President Aquino has endorsed as the Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer.

Robredo, widow of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, is also a member of the ruling LP.

Keh said Robredo had shown integrity and capability in addressing poverty, education and healthcare as a lawmaker of three years.

“If she can do this in her district, she can scale up all that she has done and bring it to other parts of the country,” he said. He added that she has filed bills promoting transparency and accountability.

KN officials, including former Pampanga Gov. Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio, composer Jim Paredes and Keh, Alice Murphy of Urban Poor Associates, as well as Anak Mindanao Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman and Bukidnon Rep. Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba, were expected to grace the launch, according to Keh.–TJ Burgonio