Robredo: Don’t vote for me out of sympathy

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – “It’s a wrong reason to vote for somebody because of sympathy.”

On her first sortie after declaring her vice presidential bid, Leni Robredo of the Liberal Party (LP) told voters here on Tuesday, October 6, that should they vote for her, it should not be because she’s the widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

“It should not be hinged on sympathy, dahil naawa sa akin (because you’ve taken pity on me). It should be based on what the candidate has done in the past,” Robredo said in a speech before local officials at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.

A lawyer who did pro bono cases for women in her home city of Naga in Camarines Sur, she added: “Sa panahon ng eleksyon, lahat mahal ang mahirap. Ano ba ginawa mo in the past to prove na mahal mo ang mahirap?” (READ: Leni Robredo: Low-key political wife goes national)

(During the elections, everybody says they love the poor. What did you do in the past to prove that you indeed loved the poor?)

“Mali na sasama kayo sa akin dahil naaawa kayo sa akin at dahil biyuda ako. I think mali ’yon. Mas mabuti na tutulong kayo kasi naniniwala kayo na bubuti ang ating bansa dahil sa akin at dahil sa mga sasama sa atin. Mas mabuti na magkasama tayo hindi bilang isang partido, dahil pareho tayo ng paniniwala,” Robredo said.

(It’s wrong for you to join me because you take pity on me and because I’m a widow. I think that’s wrong. It’s better that you will help me because you believe that the country will improve because of me and those who will join us. It’s better that we are together not as a party, but because we have the same beliefs.)

Robredo visited Negros Occidental, which is considered a bailiwick of her standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, a day after she announced her candidacy.

“Sana s’wertehin ako sa pagbisita ko dito,” she said. (I hope my visit here brings me good luck.)

The vice presidential aspirant asked for prayes, saying that “every day is a constant struggle.” She continued: “I’m diving into this without resources, without anything, and without political capital. My machineries will depend on the party. I need prayers, guidance, and strength, especially for my children because they are going into war defenseless.”

It took time for Robredo to accept the party’s nomination because her 3 daughters were against the idea of her seeking national office.

‘Capable’ rivals

Robredo described the other vice presidential aspirants – Senators Francis Escudero, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Alan Peter Cayetano – as “capable.”

“These are all seasoned politicians [who] have been in numerous national elections. This is my first,” she said. “They have been here longer than me. They have been preparing for this. Best of luck to all of us.” 

Robredo said that running for vice president will give her a “big chance” to push for “advocacies that I’m passionate about, especially inclusive growth, programs against hunger and poverty, and good governance.”

‘More qualified than Grace Poe’

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr said that it was “God’s will” that the LP’s first choice for vice presidential bet, Senator Grace Poe, refused the offer and so the party had to nominate Robredo.

He said Robredo is “very capable” and  “much more qualified” than Poe.

Robredo also paid a courtesy visit to Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra, who said, “I just wish her the best on her campaign, as well as the people of the Philippines to judge for themselves with the grace of [the One] up there in order for us to have a leader that we deserve.”

Navarra said that he doesn’t favor anyone in the elections. “I just hope that the candidates that will come out will be God-fearing and people-oriented, as well as environment-friendly, because these are the people that we need now.”

Robredo also met with the students at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Talisay City, where she gave a talk on governance. – Rappler.com