It’s still a long way to go before the May 2022 elections, but former Senator Bam Aquino, Vice President Leni Robredo’s campaign manager, wants to keep the momentum of the “pink-splosion” going as he promises to make it a “people’s campaign.”
In a Facebook post on Sunday, October 10, he listed several things that Robredo’s volunteers, which he referred to as “kakampink,” to organize, persuade others, speak up against fake news, and be inclusive.
Pink has become Robredo’s unofficial campaign color as her supporters wore pink and tied pink ribbons in their gates and cars when she announced last Oct. 7, that she’s joining the presidential race.
On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, celebrities, artists, small businesses, and ordinary Filipinos posted something pink on their social media accounts.
“Sisikapin po natin na totoong people’s campaign ang gagawin natin. Galing ang enerhiya hindi lang sa kandidato, kundi sa taumbayan mismo (We will try to make this a true people’s campaign. The energy is not only from the candidate, but from the people themselves),” Aquino said.
READ: VP Leni says 'pink is the people's choice'
He was supposed to run as senator under the Liberal Party when Robredo asked him to be her campaign manager. The vice president said she cannot join the race without Aquino by her side.
“Makikinig sa mga gusto at hiling ng mga grupo, at sisikaping magkaroon ng (We will listen to the suggestions of the groups, and we will try to have a) spirit of collaboration. Kahit po ang kulay na pink ay mula mismo sa puso ng ating mga volunteers, at hindi sa utak ng mga research (Even the color pink is from the volunteers, and not the product of research),” he added.
The former senator thanked those who “wholeheartedly” showed their strength, courage, and love for the vice president these past days.
But he also acknowledged that there is a lot to be done leading to the upcoming elections.
Aquino said it’s important for people to join groups that also support Robredo. This, he said, was already evident in the several groups that waited for the vice president when she filed her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila last week.
“Volunteers ang pagkukunan ng lakas ng ating kampanya. Kailangan nating masigurado na maaabot natin ang bawat sulok ng Pilipinas. Hindi lamang sa online ang ating laban. Kailangan pa rin nating lumabas, kumausap, at mangumbinsi (The strength of our campaign lies on volunteers. We have to make sure that we will reach every corner of the Philippines. The battle is not just online. We need to go out, engage, and persuade),” the former senator added.
READ: Robredo supporters hold QC motorcade; ‘True fight of the people,’ says VP Leni
He also wants Robredo’s supporters to counter fake news by spreading what the vice president has done in the past five and a half years since she took office.
Aquino thumbed down arguments on social media, saying that there’s no need to attack those who have different suggestions for the campaign.
“Pink-lusive is the new inclusive!,” he said.
Robredo’s road to victory, however, will need to start at home.
“Simulan natin ang pagkumbinsi sa ating mga tahanan at mga minamahal natin sa buhay (Let us start convincing our loved ones),” Aquino stressed.
Despite the road long ahead, the former senator and cousin of the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III remains confident that the people themselves will bring Robredo to victory.
“Buong puso po akong nagtitiwala sa pinagsanib nating lakas (I wholeheartedly believe in our united strength),” he said, addressing Robredo’s supporters.