Aspiring president Vice President Leni Robredo has hit at her critics who call her weak because she is a woman, saying strength is determined by how you make your choices.
"Laging sinasabi ng iba, ‘Ay mahina ‘yan kasi babae ‘yan.'(They always say, 'She's weak because she is a woman) We don’t accept that," Robredo said as she spoke before her supporters in Zamboanga Sibugay on Monday night, Jan. 24.
"Kasi di ba yung (Because) strength is determined not by the loudness of your voice or by the brashness of your actions, but strength is determined by how you make your choices. Na sa oras ba ng kahirapan, nasaan ka? Sa oras na mahihirap, anong ginagawa mo? Di ba? (That in tough times, where are you? In difficult times, what are you doing? Right?) During the most difficult times that our country is facing, nasaan ka (where are you)?" Robredo stressed.
The presidential aspirant recognized that she is not the solution to all the problems but told her supporters that she is longing for the day "when every Filipino would feel that they are part of the solution." This, she said, will be the kind of governance she wants for the country.
She further said that she will ensure that under her leadership, she will surround herself with people who are smarter than her.
"I long to see the day when every Filipino would feel that they are part of the solution. And we can only do that kung ang isusulong natin is (if we push for) an empowering kind of government. 'Pag sinabing (when you say) empowering, opposite ito ng (it is the opposite of) strong arm," Robredo said.
The Vice President said the battlelines for the 2022 elections are very clear, referring to the candidates’ beliefs, what they are fighting for, and the kind of politics and governance they maintain.
“Hindi na lang ito labanan ng mga programa, kasi kapag eleksyon, lahat kami merong magagandang programa (This is no longer a battle of programs because during elections, we all have good programs). Pero (But) this is about character. This is about integrity. This is about what kind of route do you want our country to take in the next six years,” she said.
"Ang ipapangako ko lang sa inyo, magbibigay ako ng isang malinis at tapat na pamamahala (What I am promising you is I will give you an honest government). And you will be inspired to fight alongside me. Because the answer to our problems will not be with me, but nasa ating lahat (in all of us)," she further said.
Robredo also expressed that she is hopeful with the upcoming elections despite the lack of machinery and funds.
"We are doing this for the country. Ako, isa lang ako sa maraming mga kumakandidato (I am just among the many candidates). Pero (But) if we decide to fight this out for our country, lahat ng (all the) resources, lahat na (all) machinery, lahat ng (all) political mind, walang sinabi sa determinasyon ng ordinaryong mamamayan (will be no match for the determination of the ordinary citizens)," she said.
“When I see you, I feel inspired to fight this fight na kasama ko kayo lahat (with you)... Kung ready na kayo, ready na rin ako (If you are ready, I am also ready),” she added.
Robredo was in Zamboanga Sibugay to deliver assistance to communities under the office of the Vice President (OVP) programs.