Robredo asks supporters for continued support

A few hours before her proclamation as the elected vice president, Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo appealed to her supporters to continue to stay on her side for the next six years.

“Sabi ko malayo ang ating nilakbay. Hindi po ito ang pagtatapos ng paghingi sa inyo ng tulong. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Poong Maykapal na hindi nio ako iniwan hanggang sahuli. Hinihiling ko ang patuloy niyong pagtulong sa akin,” she said after a thanksgiving Mass on Monday held at St. Peter’s Church in Quezon City.

READ: Leni Robredo is Vice President

(As I said, we have had a long journey. This is not the end of my seeking your help. I thank God that you stayed by my side until the end. I ask for your continued support for me.)

“Mahaba pa po ang lalakbayin, marami pa ang pagsubok na dadaanan. Hindi ko kaya lampasan ng mag-isa. Kailangan ko po ang inyong suporta, kelangan ko po ang inyong pagdadasal,” she added.

(We still have a long way to go and challenges to face. I can’t overcome them on my own. I need your support and prayers.)

The thanksgiving Mass was organized by priests who worked with her late husband, former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

The Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS), was a grassroots advocacy supported by the late secretary and was continued by Leni after his death.

Father Tony Labiao, who delivered the homily of the concelebrated Mass, said the widow was instrumental in popularizing the UBAS nationwide.

The Mass was also a way of thanking her for helping them in their advocacy.

“Sana hindi po kayo magsawa sa pagbabantay sakin, yung pagsisigurado na hindi ako mawawalay sa tamang landas,” Robredo told the crowd.

(I hope you won’t get tired  watching over me so that I won’t stray from the right path.)

She also asked the priests to include her in their prayers.

“Sa ating mga pari, sana patuloy nyo ako idamay sa inyong misa at sa panalangin,” she said.

(To the priests, please continue to include me in your Mass and prayers.)

Robredo and President-elect Rodrigo Duterte will be proclaimed as official election winners by Congress in a joint session on Monday afternoon. RAM/rga

READ: It’s Duterte, Robredo in final count