The presidential campaign of Vice President Leni Robredo adopted the rose as its official symbol for the next three months as it embarks on the official campaign season beginning Tuesday, Feb. 8.
The symbol was launched on Robredo’s official Facebook page on Monday, a day before the start of the campaign.
Robredo’s spokesman Barry Gutierrez said in a statement that the rose is symbolic of “love, hope, and a better life.”
“Ito ang angkop na tatak na sumasalamin sa sentro ng ating laban - ang puso ng bawat Pilipino na nagbibigay buhay sa ating People’s Campaign (This is the right symbol that mirrors the center of our fight—that the heart of every Filipino breaths life in our People’s Campaign),” he added.
“Ang katagang ‘Rosas ang kulay ng bukas’ ay ang pangarap na bitbit ng ating pangakong ‘Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat’ (The statement ‘Rose is the color of tomorrow’ is the dream we bring as we promise an ‘Honest Government, Better Life for All’),” Gutierrez said, referring to Robredo’s official campaign slogan.
The statement said that flowers had been a part of key political movements that stood for democracy and freedom.
READ: Robredo's new campaign ad projects her as 'capable leader'
In the May Day celebrations in the 19th century, the rose was a symbol of anti-authoritarian associations.
The flower also complements the color pink, which is the official campaign color of the Robredo camp, it added.
The Vice President earlier said they originally set her campaign color to blue, which was why she was wearing a blue blouse when she announced her candidacy on Oct. 7.
However, her supporters on social media celebrated her announcement by painting their profiles and walls with the color pink to symbolize political protest and change.
The rose and the color pink have always been associated with women as well, the statement said.
Robredo, who will kick off her official campaign in her hometown of Naga City, Camarines Sur, is the only woman presidential candidate in the coming May 2022 elections.