Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo hopes to see ordinary Filipinos getting elected to public office one day, stressing that the 2022 polls could be the “reset button” that will make that possible.
Robredo, a leader of the opposition, noted the importance of the 2022 elections because the most powerful political families and parties have already joined forces.
This remark came as the Estradas, Arroyos and Marcoses formed an alliance to support the presidential and vice presidential bids of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, respectively.
“Ang aking pangarap ay pulitika natin mag-a-allow sa ordinaryong tao na maihahalal (My dream is for our politics to allow ordinary Filipinos to be elected) into public office. Kasi iyong pulitika natin, naging exclusive sa may pera, may pangalan (Because our politics became exclusive for those with money, name),” Robredo said during the signing of the labor convenant with the Alliance of Labor Leaders (ALL4Leni).
“Pagkakataon ito for us (It is a chance for us) to—parang (like a) reset button, na kapag tinalo natin sila, umpisahan na natin iyong klase ng pulitika na lahat may pagkakataon (that if we defeat them, let us start this kind of politics wherein everyone has a chance),” she added.
The Vice President herself does not come from a political family. She was married to the then Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo but was already widowed and the only one from her family who joined politics in 2013 when she became representative of Camarines Sur.
Her husband, the late former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo, was Naga City mayor for six terms.
Robredo said that labor leader Sonny Matula’s inclusion in her senatorial slate is a sign that she is “serious” about this dream.
READ: Labor leader Matula completes Robredo's senatorial ticket for 2022 polls
She admitted that it will be hard for Matula, a convenor of the ALL4Leni, to get into the Magic 12 because they are still running against the same political system.
“Pero dahil nagiging people’s movement ito (But because this is becoming a people’s movement), anything is possible. Ang lakas nating lahat nasa kamay natin so sana hindi mawalan ng pag-asa iyong mga kasama natin (Our strength is on our hands so, I hope you don’t lose hope),” Robredo said.
“This is one chance na mabago natin (for us to change), not immediately, pero para naman marating ang pangarap natin na bawat hakbang mahalaga (but for us to reach our dream wherein each step is important),” she added.
She reminded the audience to look at the track record of the candidates before voting for them.
READ: Robredo urges voters: Check on candidates' track record on fighting corruption, poverty
“Madali lang kasi mag-commit, madali lang mag-promise, lalo na kapag panahon ng eleksyon. Ang sasabihin ng karamihan sa mga kandidato ang gusto nating marinig (It is easy to commit, it is easy to promise, especially during elections. Many candidates will say what we want to hear),” Robredo said.
Candidates should not only be walking toward a farm in a “video,” Robredo stressed, adding that this is no indication that they care for the agricultural sector.
Rather, it is important to note if they spent time with the workers and if they consulted with them.
“Kasi iyong yun indications na papanagutan kung ano iyong commitment at hindi lang siya (Because these are indications that they will remain true to their commitment and it is not only a) campaign promise,” she said.