A prominent alumni association of the University of the Philippines (UP) has added its voice to the growing clamor for Vice President Leni Robredo to run for president in the 2022 polls.
The SAMASA Alumni Association, Inc., which was formed 40 years ago by UP student leaders and activists to help topple the Marcos dictatorship, called on the vice president, herself an alumnus of the country’s premier state university, to become the opposition’s lone presidential candidate.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the group said that her experience, compassion, and strong work ethic make her the only candidate who can get the country “out of this crisis.”
SAMASA has “reaffirmed its commitment to rebuild an effective and efficient government with Robredo at the helm.”
“Taglay ni Leni ang katangian na makatutulong sa ating bansa na makaahon mula sa malalim na problema na ating kinasadlakan sa ilalim ng administrasyong ito (Leni posses the traits to help the country rise from the deep problems that we are not facing under this administration),” SAMASA Director Nona Andaya-Castillo said.
She added that Robredo has the “proven experience, resourcefulness, compassion and strong work ethic that will enable the country to get out of this crisis.”
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“Lalo lang mababaon ang bansa sa dusa kapag hinayaan nating magpatuloy ang ganitong uri ng pamamahala na tadtad ng pag-abuso, patayan at katiwalian (The Philippines will suffer more if we will continue with this kind of government that’s filled with abuses, killings, and corruption),” Andaya-Castillo stressed.
The SAMASA official called on Filipinos to unite behind Robredo to ensure that the country will not suffer for another six years “under the same cabal or their poor copies.”
SAMASA believes that Robredo “is a true servant-leader” who can effectively address the pandemic, as well as “put an end to the unlawful killings, focus on the welfare of the marginalized, respect the democratic processes and institutions and eradicate corruption in government.”
The vice president has yet to comment on the growing clamor for her to run as president, though she repeatedly said she’s open to the idea. Her focus, however, is her office’s COVID-19 response.
READ: Robredo declares: 'I’m still open to running for president'
Aside from SAMASA, a women’s rights group and a coalition of 500 urban poor organizations have also expressed their support for Robredo.