Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday, Dec. 13, thanked human rights advocates as they endorsed her and eight other senatorial candidates in the 2022 elections.
Aside from Robredo, the organizations under the coalition group HR Vote 2022 endorsed opposition senatorial aspirants Chel Diokno, Teddy Baguilat, Sonny Matula, re-electionist Senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros.
The other Senate bets included in its endorsements were Samira Gutoc of Aksyon Demokratiko party, Luke Espiritu, and former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares.
The presidential aspirant congratulated the group for its launch in an event held at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City.
“Muli, gusto kong magpasalamat sa suporta ninyo hindi lang para sa akin, pero sa lahat ng adbokasiya at pangarap na isinusulong natin (Again, I want to thank you for the support not only for me, but for all the advocacies and dreams we’re pushing for),” she said in a video message played during the launch.
READ: Human rights group endorses VP Leni for President, other human rights advocates
“Kasama kayo, buo ang loob ko na kayang-kaya nating wakasan ang luma at bulok na klase ng pulitika na ugat ng paghihirap ng sambayanang Pilipino (With you, I wholeheartedly believe that we can end the old and rotten kind of politics that is the root of all the sufferings of the Filipino people),” she added.
The Vice President was in Cebu City for a consultative meeting with the representatives of the IT-BPO industry there.
Robredo promised to replace this with “matino at mahusay na pamumuno (decent and capable leadership),” as well as a government that values human lives, human rights, and the dignity of each other.
“Dahil kasama namin kayong tumitindig, tiwala akong maipapanalo natin ang karapatang pantao sa 2022 (Because you are with us, I trust that we can bring human rights to victory in 2022),” she said.
Rose Trajano, convenor of HR Vote 2022, earlier said that their endorsement is meant to prevent the continuation of President Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
Robredo has repeatedly called out the Duterte administration for its war on drugs campaign, which led to a tumultuous relationship with the President since the start of their terms in 2016.