NOW it can be finally said–it’s going to be a “Mar-Leni” tandem in 2016.
“Matapos ang malalim na pag-iisip, malawak na konsultasyon at mataimtim na pagdadasal, buong puso, buong pananampalataya at buong tapat ko pong tinatanggap ang hamon na tumakbo bilang pangalawang pangulo ni Secretary Mar Roxas,” said Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo in her speech, formally accepting Liberal Party’s standard-bearer Mar Roxas’ offer to be his running mate as the party’s vice presidential candidate.
“Ibinigay ko po ang aking sarili nang buong-buo lalung-lalo na sa mga nakatsinelas sa labas, sa baba at sa laylayan ng lipunan,” Robredo said.
READ: Leni OKs team-up with Mar
It took weeks for the LP to convince the reluctant Robredo to join the party in its pursuit of continuity of the Aquino administration’s “Daang Matuwid.”
Robredo spoke directly of her reservations, but ended by recalling something that her late husband, Jesse, used to say: In the end, “ang mabuti ang parating mananaig at ang tama ang parating magtagumpay” (the good will always prevail and the right will always triumph).
Held at the same venue and same setting as President Benigno Aquino III’s anointment of Roxas as presidential bet of the ruling party, Robredo’s bid was announced at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City on Monday morning.
But this time, it was not called a “Gathering of Friends” but “Daang Matuwid: 2 (to) be continued.”
The widow of former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, Roxas’ predecessor, arrived at the hall with her three daughters Aika, Tricia and Jill.
Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash three years ago, is hailed by the LP as one of the fathers of the Daang Matuwid, a good governance and anti-corruption campaign of the Aquino administration.
Before Robredo, the LP courted Senator Grace Poe, but the latter decided to go against Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay in 2016 and declared her presidential bid in September.
Poe will run alongside Senator Francis Escudero as her vice president.
Upon arriving at Club Filipino, Aquino met with Roxas, Robredo and her daughters in a separate room.
After 20 minutes, they proceeded inside the Cory Aquino Kalayaan Hall teeming with yellow-clad supporters waiting for them.
Before Robredo’s speech, Roxas gave a message accepting the nomination to become the party’s standard-bearer as provided in Resolution Nos. 2015-03 and 2015-02 of the LP National Executive Council.
Like Roxas, Robredo has a degree in economics from the University of the Philippines Diliman. After taking up law at the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga, she served as a pro-bono counsel for indigent clients.
Like Cory Aquino
As Robredo takes on the challenge of the LP, Roxas said the nation again witnessed a widow’s sacrifice – like what former President Cory Aquino did to fight the dictatorship in the country.
“Ngayon, saksi tayo sa isa pang sakripisyo. Sakripisyo ng isang ordinaryong tao, isang ina, isang single mother, na tinatawag at pinipiling tumugon sa tawag ng Daang Matuwid,” he said.
Roxas also acknowledged the sacrifice of the Robredo sisters for “putting the country first before [themselves]” by giving their blessing to Robredo.
“Kina Aika, Tricia, at Jillian: Napakalaking sakripisyo na ang naibigay ninyo sa ating bansa. Dama ko ang mga agam-agam ninyo sa desisyong ito. Your lives will be put on hold,” said Roxas.
If Jesse lived…
If Jesse Robredo were still alive, the presidential candidate told the sisters that their father would approve of Leni’s decision.
“I hope you are comforted by the thought that if we could ask your Dad, if we had a lifeline to him, given the way he lived, we know that his reply would be: Kung ano ang makakabuti sa bansa, sige lang,” he said.
At one point during his speech, an emotional Roxas explained why he avoided eye contact with Robredo. “Hindi ako tumitingin sa ‘yo, Leni, kasi maluluha ako eh, kaya dito na lang ako titingin.”
Continue what Aquino started
Saying it was a great honor and responsibility to become a part of Aquino’s team, Roxas assured the President that they would not disappoint their “bosses” or the people.
“Hindi namin sasayangin ang tiwala ninyo, ang tiwala ng ating mga Boss. Ang panata namin: Nandito kami ni Leni—nandito kaming lahat—para ipagpatuloy ang inyong nasimulan,” he said.
He also vowed that as partners, he and Leni will not leave each other.
“Hindi namin iiwan ang isa’t isa. Hindi kami lilihis, hinding-hindi matitinag ang paninindigan namin sa Daang Matuwid,” he continued.
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