Believing that Vice President Leni Robredo is the only potential presidential candidate who will stand up for women’s rights, a group of women from various sectors is preparing for her possible presidential run in the 2022 polls.
Women for Leni is composed of women from various walks of life—media, entertainment, business, and the informal sector—who share a common belief that “Robredo is the only leader who genuinely understands and advocates for women's rights.”
“Wala kaming nakikitang ibang kandidato na maaaring magsulong ng karapatan at kapakanan ng kababaihan kundi si VP Leni lang (We cannot see any other candidate who will push for women’s rights but VP Leni),” Bans Alqaseer, the group’s spokesperson, said in a statement.
The group will hold a nationwide online gathering on Saturday, July 24, to be aired via the group’s Facebook page to talk about her possible presidential bid and how they can help Robredo win the country’s highest post.
Entitled “Kababaihan, Magkaisa! Women for Leni Launch,” the online program will air messages of support from various women across the country.
Aside from Alqaseer, Colorette chief executive officer Nina Ellaine Dizon and musician and host Saab Magalona-Bacarro will represent the group.
“Kailangan natin ng lider gaya niya na naiintindihan at nagsusulong ang karapatan ng kababaihan (We need a leader like her who understands and pushes for the rights of women),” Alqaseer said.
They are unfazed by Robredo’s low numbers in the recent Pulse Asia survey where she only got six percent.
READ: Robredo not affected by low poll survey results
Alqaseer believes that they can help pull off another win for the vice president as they did the same when she run as “a virtually unknown candidate” in 2016 and eventually defeated former Senator Bongbong Marcos Jr.
She said they are ready to gather volunteers to help in her candidacy once she “accepts the challenge” to run for president.
Alqaseer highlighted the “huge part” that women played in society especially during the pandemic “as they make up a majority of healthcare workers putting their lives at stake in the frontlines.”
The pandemic has “disproportionately affected” women because they compose a large portion of the informal economy, which was heavily impacted by the lockdowns and restrictions.
READ: Robredo enjoins women to 'break barriers, change the narrative'
“Women for Leni continues to demand executive leadership that addresses the diverse needs of Filipino women,” Alqaseer said.
Robredo has yet to decide whether to run in the 2022 polls, only admitting that she has been doing exploratory talks. She said that she’s focused on her COVID-19 response initiatives right now.