Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday, August 1, remembered the late former president Benigno Aquino III 40 days since his passing, urging Filipinos to continue the fight for a better Philippines.

The August 1 mass was one of 40 held nationwide to commemorate 40 days since Aquino’s passing, as well as the 12th death anniversary of Aquino’s mother, former president Corazon Aquino, who passed away in 2009.

“Kung worth fighting for kami, mas lalo kang worth fighting for,” Robredo said in a speech following the mass.

“Worth fighting for ang legacy mo, worth fighting for ang mga prinsipyo mo, worth fighting for ang Pilipinas na pinangarap mo,” she added.

(You are also worth fighting for. Your legacy, principles, and the Philippines you dreamt for are worth fighting for.) 

Aquino, the country’s 15th president, died of renal disease secondary to diabetes on June 24 after suffering from various illnesses since 2019.

He was chairman emeritus of the Liberal Party (LP), in which Robredo now heads as chairperson. Aquino, as LP chairperson, endorsed the tandem of Mar Roxas and Robredo for the 2016 elections.

On Sunday, Robredo urged the public to continue on the fight, even amid challenges the country faces.

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“Ito na rin siguro ‘yung pinakamagandang tribute na puwede nating ibigay kay PNoy: Ang mahanap ang lakas ng loob na tumindig at pandayin ang Pilipinas na pinangarap niya para sa atin,” she said.

“Tayo ang Boss – tayo ang may kakayahan, hindi tayo passive observer lang sa demokrasya, kundi may responsibilidad na makilahok,” Robredo said.

(This is the best way to pay tribute to PNoy: To find the courage to stand and mold the Philippines that he dreamt for us. We are the bosses, we have the power. We should not be passive observers of democracy, but have the responsibility to get involved.)

Robredo, the opposition leader, is still mulling over her potential presidential run in 2022, conducting exploratory talks with other possible contenders. (READ: ‘Possible unity’ in 2022? Robredo meets with Lacson-Sotto, Gordon)

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Robredo also fondly recalled the leadership style of Aquino and how his famous “Kayo ang boss ko (You are my boss)” messaging was a true reflection of his morals.

“Hindi lip service ito, kundi tunay at malalim na pilosopiya na nag-uugat sa mismong pagkatao niya,” she said.

“He always carried himself with honor and dignity, dito man sa Pilipinas o kaharap ang ibang heads of state, dahil alam niyang his words and actions reflect who we are as a people,” Robredo added.

(It was not lip service, but true and deep philosophy that stems from his true self… He always carried himself with honor and dignity here and abroad because he knows that his words and actions reflect who we are as a people.)

Robredo earlier said Aquino “tried to do what was right, even when it was not popular,” and that his death marked an end of an era. – Rappler.com