Ninety-five former Cabinet members, including former Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel 'Mar' Roxas II, senior government officials, former chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, retired ambassadors, and career civil servants, who served under various administrations, will back Vice President Leni Robredo's presidential bid.
Many of the former government officials, who expressed their support to the presidential aspirant, also served during the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
In a 5-page joint statement dated Feb. 1, the former government officials pledged their support Robredo's candidacy, saying she is the "best candidate" for the highest post in the land who has a "solid track record of serving the public" and "possesses all the qualities of an ideal chief executive and commander in chief of our Armed Forces."
"We commit ourselves fully to Vice President Leni Robredo’s bid for the presidency to lead the Philippines on an upward path of recovery and greatness," they said as they stressed that in the May 2022 elections, Filipinos will make a choice that will shape the country's future and that of future generations.
"We thus enjoin the Filipino people to give our country the leader that we all deserve," they added.
The former government officials expressed that they share Filipinos' aspirations for a government led by a leader who is competent, experienced, committed to the principles of integrity, democracy, and genuine public service.
They further said that they aspire a leadership that is inclusive and consultative, a leadership that ensures the safety and well-being of all its citizens while respecting human rights, a leadership that is committed to protecting the national sovereignty.
"A leadership that takes charge in a crisis – one that is capable, decisive and able to lead by example; a leadership that is committed to serving the people with empathy and compassion – one that listens, one that is able to be with the poor, the voiceless, and the weary," the former public officials said.
"A leadership that is committed to what is right and true, and one that runs an honest and responsive government that inspires confidence and pride," they added.
They collectively believe that Robredo, if elected, will be a competent president whtakes charge in a crisis – one that is capable, decisive and able to lead by example.
"We believe that the best candidate who embodies these aspirations is a true leader who brings with her a solid track record of serving the public; one who possesses all the qualities of an ideal Chief Executive and Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces," they said.
Aside from Roxas and Senator Leila De Lima, the signatories of the joint statement of support also include former Foreign Affairs Secretaries Delia D. Albert and Albert F. del Rosario; former Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala; former Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras; former MinDa chairperson Luwalhati R. Antonino; former Labor Secretaries Rosalinda D. Baldoz and Jose S. Brillantes; former Justice Secretary Emmanuel L. Caparas; former Trade Secretaries Adrian S. Cristobal Jr and Gregory L. Domingo; former Agrarian Secretary Virgilio R. de los Reyes; former NEDA director-general Emmanuel Esguerra; former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin; former Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda; former CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan; former Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim; former Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro; former DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo; former Environment Secretary Ramon P. Paje; DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson; and former Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail dela Fuente-Valte.
Former AFP Chiefs-of-staff Emmanuel T. Bautista, Jessie D. Dellosa, Hernando A. Iriberri, and Eduardo S. Oban Jr. were also among the signatories.
Retired Ambassadors, who conveyed their support to Robredo, include Maria Rosario C. Aguinaldo, Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon, Jorge V. Arizabal, Victoria S. Bataclan, Estrella A. Berenguel, Eva G. Betita, Sonia C. Brady, Blesila C. Cabrera, Maria Zeneida Angara-Collinson, Esteban B. Conejos, McArthur F. Corsino, Claro S. Cristobal, Laura Q. del Rosario, Petronila P. Garcia, Leslie B. Gatan, Danilo T. Ibayan, Eleanor L. Jaucian, Eduardo M. Maglaya, Bayani V. Mangibin, Clemencio F. Montesa, Lourdes Gutierrez-Morales, Cristina Ortega, Olivia V. Palala, Zenaida Tacorda-Rabago, Cecilia B. Rebong, Cresente R. Relacion, Virgilio Reyes Jr., Delia Menez-Rosal, Maria Rowena M. Sanchez, Aurora navarro-Tolentino, Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek, Alejandro Vicente, Hector K. Villaroel, Marilyn J. Alarilla, Belen F. Anota, Susan O. Castence, Uriel Norman r. Garibay, and Sahid S. Glang.
Other government officials and civil servants in the signatories are: Julia R. Abad (Presidential Management Staff), Florencio B. Abad (DBM), Joseph Emilio A. Abaya (DOTC), Orlan A. Calayag (NFA), Honorito D. Chaneco (LRTA), Teresita Quintos-Deles (OPAPP), Antonio A. Fleta (DA), Euclides G. Forbes (PCA), Cesar P. Garcia (NSA), Reynaldo P. Laguda (DepEd), Ernesto Lopez (DOTC), Maria Regina Martin (SRA), Manuel C. Medina (PRA), Roberto T. Muldong (PRA), Imelda M. Nicolas (Commission of Filipinos Overseas), Alexander A. Padilla (PhilHealth), Luz R. Palacios (DFA), Emerson U. Palad (DA), Manuel L. Quezon III (PCDSPO), Jose C. Reano (DA), Roland S. Recomono (DOTC), Susan D. Reyes (Office of the President), Reynaldo B. Robles (PRA), Joel Rocamora (NAPC), John "Sunny" P. Sevilla (BOC), Alfonso Tan Jr. (LTO), Jaime J. Yambao, Peter Anthony A. Abaya (PRA), Melchor V. Cayabyab (DOTC), and Asis G. Perez (BFAR).
Last month, former Cabinet members and senior officials, who served during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos, have also collectively expressed their support to Robredo’s presidential bid.
READ MORE: Ex-FVR Cabinet members declare support for Robredo; says she can lead Filipinos to 'positive path'