Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday urged her allies from the Liberal Party to continue fulfilling its long time vision of upholding democracy for Filipinos.
(OVP / Facebook / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Robredo, chairwoman of the LP, used the party’s theme for its 75th anniversary, which is "Tuloy lang," (or “Let’s persist”) to drive home her message.
“Tuloy lang sa paninindigan. Tuloy lang sa pagpapalawak sa saklaw ng malasakit. Huwag panghihinaan ng loob (Persist with your conviction. Persist on broadening your concern for others. Do not let your resolve be weakened),” she said in a video message.
“The attacks may continue, the threats may become even more formidable, but we must find strength from the fact that our every effort takes us to a step closer to our vision,” she stressed.
The LP is the party of President Duterte’s predecessor, former president Benigno Aquino III. It had a large number of allies during the previous administration, until its numbers dwindled after the 2016 elections.
Since then, the LP has been recruiting new members from the ranks of non-politicians and ordinary citizens who share the same advocacies.
Robredo, in her online speech, said that new members are welcome in joining the opposition party.
According to LP President Senator Francis Pangilinan, the party was able to establish 106 chapters and organizing committees nationwide last year from having 33 chapters in 2019.
The LP is using its listening campaign called Project Makinig, where its volunteers speak to people and recruit them, in rebuilding the party.
“Gustong gusto ko rin yung pangalawang ibig sabihin ng tuloy lang. Ibig sabihin: halika, pasok kayo, welcome kayo dito. May warmth, may openness (I also like the second meaning of persist. It means: come, join, you’re welcome here. There is warmth, openness),” Robredo said.
The vice president explained the party serves as a platform for Filipinos to talk to each other and share their common dreams—both for themselves and for the rest of the country.