Robredo to supporters: Raise funds for pandemic-hit Filipinos, not for campaigning

MANILA, Philippines — While she is thankful for her supporters, Vice President Leni Robredo is urging them to raise funds for those affected by the pandemic instead of her still unsure presidential bid.

For Robredo, responding to the Covid-19 pandemic remains to be a priority.

“Ang laki ng appreciation ko sa paniniwala nila. Pero sa akin, hinihikayat ko, siguro iyong mga grupo, baka pag-isipan po natin, tulungan n’yo kami, kasi marami tayong mga kababayan na nangangailangan ngayon. Asikasuhin natin sila,” Robredo said Sunday in her weekly radio show.

(I have a huge appreciation for their trust. But for me, I am encouraging these groups to help us because we have many countrymen who are in need right now. Let’s help them.)

“Kung mayroon pong gustong mag-fundraise, okay naman iyon—pero hindi para sa akin…Matagal pa naman iyong eleksyon, next year pa. More than one year pa po bago mag-eleksyon. Kapag malapit-lapit na, saka natin pag-usapan iyon,” she added.

(If anyone wants to raise funds, that’s okay—but not for me. The election is far ahead, it’s over a year away. Let’s talk about it once it’s near.)

Some of Robredo’s supporters have launched an online petition urging her to run for president in the 2022 national elections.

https://www.facebook.com/inquirerdotnet/posts/10161068157154453

As of this writing, the campaign called “I Am Ready For Leni” has so far garnered more than 37,000 signatures in change.org.

Last week, Liberal Party president and Senator Kiko Pangilinan said Robredo was among the party’s choices to run for president.

/MUF