The De La Salle Brothers of the Taft Community have expressed their support to the team of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, citing the tandem’s clear agenda to help Filipinos, especially those affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a statement, the De La Salle Brothers, also known as the 1911 Brothers Community, said they unanimously agreed in their collective discernment that the partnership of Robredo and Pangilinan is the tandem that has "unceasingly defended our fundamental liberties and who continue to work in solidarity with those who empower and improve the plight of the poor and vulnerable sectors."
“Moreover, the Robredo-Pangilinan team presents the clearest and most feasible plan to uplift the condition and empower every Filipino, especially those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic," the Brothers said.
"For these reasons, we express our support for their candidacy,” they added.
The statement was signed by Br. Bernard Oca FSC, Br. Antonio Servando FSC, Br. Emmanuel Sia FSC, Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC and Br. Richie Yap FSC.
In December last year, the Brothers Community issued a statement entitled, "Discerning our Future: The 2022 Elections," providing a guide for Filipino voters in assessing the individuals and parties that are vying for elective positions in the forthcoming elections.
In that statement, they stressed the importance for the new set of leaders to propose a vision that can unite the people in pursuit of the common good and to possess the moral integrity needed to command the trust of citizens and civil society.
They likewise emphasized that future leaders in the country should have a clear record of "empowering the disempowered, underserved, and the under-represented sectors of Philippine society."
The presidential and vice-presidential posts, they added, "are the most critical as these leaders will be the ones to steer the nation not only towards economic recovery but more importantly, promote, respect, and fulfill democratic values and human rights such as freedom of speech, equality before the law, social justice among other things."
Meanwhile, on the issue of disinformation and proliferation of fake news, the De La Salle Brothers said the next president and vice president should uphold the truth and combat mechanisms of disinformation and misinformation.
They said these twin issues have masked the tainted record and twisted motivations of individuals and groups who have propelled falsehoods or fake news.
The De La Salle Brothers, however, said their support for Robredo and Pangilinan should not be construed as representative of the stand of the schools that they serve.
"Our schools and universities will remain open spaces where our staff, students, and other internal and external stakeholders, are free to express their own voting preferences," they said.
The De La Salle Brothers was founded in March 1911 and led to the opening of the first La Salle school in Paco, Manila.