Four days after the announcement of her 2022 presidential bid, Vice President Leni Robredo said her camp is still overwhelmed by the support they are getting, comparing this to opening the “floodgates” of volunteerism where even the “apolitical” are making their stand.
The vice president believes this is not about her, but the causes she represents. She has always been clear about her stand—to end a repressive administration, to prioritize good governance amid the pandemic, and to stop the Marcoses from claiming power once more.
“After nung Thursday, parang mayroong floodgates na nabukas. Parang mayroong floodgates na nabukas na nagugulat talaga kami (After Thursday, floodgates opened. It’s like the floodgates opened and we are really surprised),” Robredo said during her weekly radio show on Sunday, October 10.
She mentioned that every time they open social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, they are surprised with the support they are getting, especially from people who used to be “apolitical.”
“I think ‘yung pag-make ng stand hindi iyon dahil sa akin eh. Pero dahil sa laban na nirerepresent ko...Pakiramdam ko iyon ‘yung mensaheng binigay natin sa kanila (Their stand is not about me. But because of the fight I am representing...I feel that the message I delivered) during the acceptance nagresound sa kanila (resounded with them),” she added.
READ: ‘Naiiyak ako’: VP Leni Robredo's supporters moved by her 2022 presidential bid speech
After Robredo’s announcement on Thursday, a flood of pink-themed photos dominated social media as celebrities, influencers, and small businesses posted something pink on their respective accounts.
Some businesses even offered discounts and deals on their pink-colored products, saying that for them, the color symbolizes hope and true change.
On Twitter, the hashtag #LabanLeni2022 and #DapatSiLeni trended the whole day of Oct. 7 and was even a top one worldwide trending topic in the afternoon of the same day.
“Hindi namin ito inaasahan. Parang ito ‘yung affirmation na siguro tama naman ‘yung desisyon na ginawa natin. Iyon talaga ‘yung dasal natin (We were not expecting this. It’s an affirmation that I made the right decision. That’s our prayer), in the last week or so,” Robredo said.
READ: #LabanLeni2022: Robredo trends shortly after announcing bid for president
The vice president thanked her supporters for the “sacrifice,” saying that she remains hopeful that she will have a chance in 2022 despite the lack of resources and machinery.
“Wala tayong resources, wala tayong makinarya, pero iyong suporta ng taong bayan nagpapakita na kapag taong bayan na talaga ‘yung nagdesisyong gumalaw, wala ng laban ‘yung laki ng makinarya ng iba (We do not have resources, we do not have the machinery, but the support of the people shows that when they mobilize, there’s nothing that big machinery can do),” she added.
Robredo mentioned that seeing her supporters organize for her takes away any misgivings she might have about running.
“Iyong pinapakita nilang paglabas, pagsuporta, parang ina-assure tayo na tama naman ‘yung desisyon natin. Iyong pakiusap natin sana masustain natin ito. Sana mapalawak pa natin ‘yung ating hanay kasi ito lang yung pwedeng lumaban sa (What they’re showing by making a stand, supporting, it’s assuring us that we made the right decision. All I’m asking is we sustain this. I hope we can expand our ranks because this is the only way to win against) fake news,” she said.