Bulacan groups latest to organize movements urging Robredo to run for president

Vice President Leni Robredo, INQUIRER file photo / SCREENGRAB

MANILA, Philippines — Various sectors from Bulacan are among the latest groups to organize movements that call on Vice President Leni Robredo to run for president in the 2022 National Elections, supporters of the official said on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, support group Team Leni Robredo said that multi-sectoral and cause-oriented groups in Bulacan formed the Bulacan for Leni to ask the Vice President to run so that the current administration’s alleged reign of abuse and inefficiency would come to an end.

“Sa loob ng limang taon, nakita natin kung anong klaseng lider ang kailangan natin. Sa pananalasa ng pandemya, nakita rin natin kung anong klaseng lingkod-bayan ang dapat mamuno sa atin,” the manifesto stated.

“Sa patuloy na pambabastos sa kababaihan, naniniwala kami na si Leni Robredo, isusulong ang karapatan ng kababaihan,” it added.

The group believes that Robredo would be the antithesis to President Rodrigo Duterte, whose administration has been often criticized for allegedly disregarding human rights in its war against illegal drugs and its anti-insurgency campaign.

The Duterte administration in recent times was also called out for its poor response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as Metro Manila has seen three lockdowns and surges since the first Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine status.

There are also talks about people being displeased with Duterte’s independent foreign policy. Some critics claim that it was only a ploy to get close to China and disregard its legal victories against the Chinese intrusion at the West Philippine Sea.

“Sa patuloy na paghihirap ng mga mamamayan, tiwala kaming iaahon tayo ni Leni sa kahirapan,” Bulacan for Leni’s manifesto read.

“Sa patuloy na pagkakatoon ng isang makupad na pamamahala, tiyak at naniniwala kaming si Leni Robredo, kikilos at aaksiyon sa lalong madaling panahon,” it added.

Just this August 19, a similar movement was launched in Quezon province, dubbed Quezon for Leni, which also urges the Vice President to join the presidential race.  Then on Saturday, Robredo was again asked by teachers to run in 2022.

READ: Groups in Quezon launch campaign to urge Robredo to run for president 

READ: ‘Teachers for Leni’ urges Robredo to seek presidency 

Robredo has not yet confirmed whether she will indeed run for president, as she is not yet done talking with parties that may make a bid in 2022.  Currently, only Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III have announced their intentions to run for president and vice president.

Robredo recently met with Senators Lacson, Richard Gordon, and Manny Pacquiao to discuss the possibility of a united opposition coalition, but no solid plans have been made.

But in the past, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has maintained that Robredo is still open to pursuing the presidency even if she has thought of — and was rumored to be — running for Camarines Sur’s gubernatorial post.

READ: Robredo still open to run for president in 2022 

READ: Local political party pledges support to Robredo if she runs for CamSur governor