"What must happen will happen."
Vice President Leni Robredo left this message for her supporters Friday, Sept. 24 even as the remaining time for her to decide on her plans for the May 2022 national elections appears to be running out fast.
Robredo made this statement in the wake of the call of former senator and Magdalo group chairman Antonio Trillanes IV for her to make a decision--should she be inclined still to lead the “real opposition” and pursue the presidency in next year’s polls.
Mulat ako sa mga deadline, umuusad ang panahon; sa huli, mangyayari ang dapat mangyari (I am aware of deadlines, time progresses; eventually, what must happen will happen),” she said.
The Vice President explained that it is her duty to do everything in pursuit of the goal of the presidency, to talk to everyone who needed to be consulted with, and to “meditate and pray hard to achieve the best chances for better governance come 2022".
Magtiwala kayo: Pagdating sa usapin ng halalan, isa lang ang nasa isip ko: Siguruhin na mawawakasan ang uri ng pamumunong ugat ng pagdurusa, paghihirap, at pagkamatay ng napakarami sa atin (Trust me: When it comes to election matters, I have only one thing on my mind: To put an end to the kind of leadership that is the root of suffering, misery, and death of so many among us),” she said.
Robredo even made fun of all the loose talk about her already getting tired, being scared of losing in the election, or even worrying about the vast resources and political machinery of her potential rivals.
“Tanungin ko nga kayo ngayon: Mukha ba akong pagod? Mukha ba akong natatakot? Mukha ba akong kinakabahan? (Let me ask you now: Do I look tired? Do I look scared? Do I look nervous?),” she said.
The 56-year-old Robredo also thanked her supporters who earlier surprised her by putting yellow ribbons and posters outside her office in Quezon City.
“Naririnig ko kayo, nakikita ko ang nakikita ninyo, at karamay ako sa frustrations, pati sa pangarap ninyo para sa bansa. Muli, salamat sa pag-unawa, salamat sa encouragement, salamat sa tiwala, at salamat sa pagmamahal sa ating bansa (I hear you, I can see what you are seeing, and I sympathize with your frustrations, as well as your dreams for the country. Again, thank you for understanding, thank you for the encouragement, thank you for the trust, and thank you for loving our country),” she said.
The filing period for the certificates of candidacy (COCs) of election aspirants will run from Oct. 1 to 8.