Robredo ‘overwhelmed’ by supporters for considering her 2022 run ‘fight of their lives’


Presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo advised her supporters to “fight smart” instead of engaging in the political game of their opponents ahead of the national elections in 2022.

Vice President Leni Robredo speaks to her supporters and volunteers during a virtual meeting on October 19, 2021. (Photo from Dapat Si Leni!)

“Huwag tayong gagaya sa game nila. Truth warriors lang tayo. Pag nakikita natin 'yung (We should not play their game. We are truth warriors. If we see the) disinformation, we fight smart. Isip tayo ng pamamaraan paano ba natin irerefute 'yung mga kasinungalingan na hindi tayo bumababa sa level nila (Let us think of a way to refute their lies that we don’t go down to their level),” she said.

“Sa lahat ng mga kandidato, ako 'yung pinakamapalad. Mahina ang loob ko pag naiisip ko na wala tayo nung meron sila. Pero lumalakas ang loob ko pag iniisip ko na meron naman ako nung wala sila, at kayo iyon (Among the candidates, I’m the most fortunate. I’m discouraged when I think of what we don’t have that they have. But I draw strength when I remember what I have that they don’t, and that’s you),” she added.

Robredo made the call during her virtual meeting with more than 1,500 supporters and volunteers across the country, where she thanked everyone for their “commitment, passion and energy” in helping her presidential bid next year.

The online meeting was hosted by Dapat Si Leni!, one of Robredo’s biggest volunteer groups, and joined by volunteers from 50 organizations and international chapters.

Among those who joined the meeting was Bedans for Leni and Debaters for Leni.

READ: Robredo on deluge of support: ‘Momentum is ours’

While she admitted having no machinery or resources unlike her rivals, Robredo believes that her supporters are more than enough to fuel and inspire her to win the fight.

“Everyone took this fight and ang regard ng lahat, hindi lang ito (the regard of all, not only this) fight to make me win, pero (but) it's the fight of their lives,” she added.

Lawyer Clyde Gregorio, co-convenor and spokesperson of Dapat Si Leni!, noted the group now has a strong international network of 2,500 members and they expect the number to increase in the coming days.

Robredo also met with 890 supporters and volunteers from Iloilo on Wednesday, who collectively call themselves “Pink Iloilo” to express her gratitude for supporting her presidential run.

The group composed of volunteer lawyers, paralegals, doctors,educators, businessmen, and entrepreneurs, among other professionals, earlier released a manifesto of support for Robredo, her running mate Senator Francis Pangilinan and their senatorial slate.

READ: ‘A people’s campaign’: VP Leni emboldened by volunteers’ caravans in Bicol, other provinces

“We pledge to nurture and strengthen this conspiracy for hope by working together, pooling our resources, reaching out to our fellow Filipinos and listening to them, making them aware how hopeful and bright our future can be if we are together with VP Leni and her team in this fight,” the group said.

“This is one cause worth fighting for. This is one conspiracy for hope we cannot afford to squander. For our future and the future of our children, we pledge to work together to win this fight. Our fight for our country’s future,” it added.