Vice President Leni Robredo’s supporters are urging her to seek the presidency in the 2022 polls, saying she would be able to help the Philippines become a more just and gender-equal society. 

This was how members of the Women for Leni movement made their pitch for the Vice President’s potential 2022 presidential run during their online campaign entitled “Kababaihan, Magkaisa! Women for Leni Launch” held on Saturday, July 24. 

Fashion designer Mich Dulce, who helped create the locally made personal protective equipment that the Office of the Vice President (OVP)  donated to fronliners, described Robredo as the “most competent candidate” to gun for the highest position in the land.

“I’ve seen first-hand how VP Leni was able to stretch her resources and really make magic happen and get things done despite limited financial resources and all of that,” the Filipina activist-designer said in a pre-recorded video.

Robredo has been widely praised for the OVP’s quick, effective, and inclusive pandemic response programs despite her office’s meager budget.

The Philippine opposition leader has often been contrasted with President Rodrigo Duterte, whose government unravelled in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

Dulce added Robredo is the one who can lead the Philippines into a better future for the next generation.

“The reason why I want VP Leni to run and win the presidency in 2022 is the same reason why I’m an activist, which is that I really want a better world, a better Philippines for my children. And I think that she’s the one who can lead us toward an equitable, just, and gender-equal Philippines in the future,” she said.

The Vice President has long been on the receiving end of sexist remarks from none other than the President himself for the past five years. She has been the primary target of government propagandists and trolls. 

Actress Saab Magalona-Bacarro, a known supporter of the Vice President, said she can personally relate with Robredo as they are both mothers. 

Magalona has two sons with her husband and Cheats bandmate Jim Bacarro, while Robredo has three daughters with her late husband, former interior and local government chief Jesse Robredo.

“Kahit bise president pa lang siya with little financial support, (even while serving as the vice president with little financial support), she has been able to do so many things for the country and that’s why I believe that she is the best candidate for the presidential elections this coming 2022,” Magalona said. 

Megan Mendoza Cabrera, former team captain of the University of the Philippines’ Pep Squad, also said women and Robredo share the same ability “to endure pain, to endure suffering, to endure inequalities.”

“We all have this ability to endure and thrive through it all to turn all of these negative things into something beautiful and something inspiring. Kaya naniniwala akong si VP Leni ang karapat-dapat na kumandidato sa susunod na eleksyon para sa pagka presidente (That is why I believe VP Leni is the most deserving candidate to run for president in the coming elections),” Cabrera added.

Robredo has not yet decided on whether to run for president in 2022, given her low survey numbers and the persistent attacks from the Duterte machinery these past five years, among other considerations.

Still, her supporters like the Women for Leni group and her allies in the once-ruling Liberal Party have been mobilizing these past weeks to help convince her to run and build a campaign machinery for her.

“Sana malaman ‘nya na maraming sumusuporta sa kanya, maraming bilib sa kanya,” said Magalona. (I hope she knows there are so many of us who support her and believe in her.) – Rappler.com

Jamilah Angco is a Rappler intern. This article was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s news team and an editor. Learn more about Rappler’s internship program here.