For Leni, VP victory a work of destiny

Incoming Vice-President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER PHOTO/Richard Reyes

ON the day of her proclamation, Vice President-elect Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo stumbled upon an old photo of her on social media, only to find herself pondering how unthinkable it was just a few years ago that she would be elected the country’s second highest official.

The widow of the Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who was proclaimed duly elected Vice President on Monday, attributed her electoral victory to destiny.

“Parang tinitignan ko ‘yung mukha ko doon, nasabi ko nung panahon na ‘yun wala naman akong kamuwang-muwang na makakarating ako sa ganitong sitwasyon. Pagpapakita lang na hindi siya pinaplano, kung ano ‘yung nakatakda, ‘yun ‘yung mangyayari,” Robredo shared in a press conference at the House of Representatives after her proclamation.

Robredo said officially winning the hotly contested vice presidential race on her late husband’s birthday was a “very emotional” moment for her family.

“Parang nagpapaalala kung bakit kami nandito, na ‘yung buong paglalakbay ay hindi kami pinabayaan ng Poong Maykapal,” she said.

Congress finished its canvassing of votes last Friday, Jesse’s birthday, where Robredo beat her closest rival Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos by over 200,000 votes.

Asked about what she thought of being called “Vice President Leni Robredo,” the Camarines Sur representative said it was a mere title. She vowed she would not waste the mandate given to her by the Filipino people.

Robredo said she would focus on championing her advocacies, particularly the antipoverty programs, aside from the usual ceremonial duties of a vice president.

“Walang epekto sa akin ‘yung sound noon. ‘Yung mas interesado ako ‘yung ano ba ang magagawa ko kapag nakaupo na. ‘Yung sa akin kasi… mas gusto ko sana na ‘yung opisina mas big on advocacy. Alam ko na malaki ‘yung ceremonial functions niya, pero pag-aaralan paano magiging makabuluhan ‘yung policy saka advocacy considering na ‘yung influence ng opisina is malaki,” Robredo said.

“Papaano hindi masasayang ‘yung pagkahalal ko, na ‘yung gusto ko talagang asikasuhin na matutulungan given the limited authority given to the Vice President. ‘Yun ‘yung mas concern ko. ‘Yung titulo ano lang ‘yun eh, titulo lang. Kung tatanungin ako… ‘Yung pinaka-challenge ‘yung binigay sa’yo paano mo magagamit na pinakamaayos para hindi masayang,” she added.