Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday, June 22, said that political colors have no place in serving the country as she expressed gratitude to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for partnering with her office for a drive-through vaccination program.
Robredo’s office, in partnership with the Manila City government led by Moreno, kicked off their Vaccine Express drive for Manila’s tricycle, pedicab, and delivery riders.
The vice president lauded Moreno who didn’t think about the 2022 polls and has focused on his own COVID-19 response programs.
“Napakahalaga na 'yung nilalapitan na LGU (local government unit) hindi 2022 ang tinitingnan kasi iyong pandemic naman walang political color ito, di ba? Iyong trabaho namin hindi kami dapat tumitingin dun sa preparation ba 'to for 2022 (It’s very important that the LGU we reached out to is not thinking about 2022 because this pandemic has no political color, right? Our work must not look into the preparation for 2022),” she said.
The two officials were in attendance during the launch of the Vaccine Express that will run for two days aiming to vaccinate as many tricycle and pedicab drivers as possible. It will also target delivery riders.
READ: Robredo-Isko Vaccine Express for trike drivers starts on June 22
Robredo said they were “so grateful” to the City of Manila because when they proposed the program, they immediately agreed to partner with them.
The support has been “all out,” the vice president stressed, noting that she made it a point to thank Moreno when he arrived at the site earlier.
For his part, Moreno said that they will “be happy” to accept any help as long as it will benefit the people of Manila.
“Natutuwa lang ako kasi anybody na tutulong sa mga taga-Maynila bilang ama ng lungsod, tinatanaw namin 'yon na utang na loob (I am delighted because anybody who will help Manila as the father of the city, we will owe it as a debt of gratitude). Anybody, immaterial of their political indifferences, what matters most to us today the Office of the Vice President went of their way through the effort of Vice President Leni to help us,” he added.
Although Manila already has a lot of vaccination sites, Moreno said, it is helpful for them to reach out to everyone in the city through the Vaccine Express.
The first-term mayor shared that the partnership between him and Robredo can last until the end of their terms on June 30 next year, regardless of what happens in the May 2022 polls.
He said that it is too “far-fetched” to think about the elections because there’s a “health threat” now that impacts the lives and livelihoods of people.
The important thing he discussed with Robredo is how to restart the economy and create opportunities for people and businesses, Moreno added.
Both officials are being pushed to run for president next year primarily because of the work they did during the past year. Robredo and Moreno, however, remain mum about their political plans.