As the campaign season for the May 2022 elections continues, Vice President Leni Robredo has a piece of advice to voters: If a candidate is claiming to care for a certain sector, ask for receipts.
Robredo made the statement during the virtual Covenant Signing of Disability Agenda with persons with disability (PWDs) on Thursday, February 17.
In her speech, Robredo mentioned that her advocacy for PWDs was personal as “disability runs in the family.” She said that this has been her advocacy even before she entered the world of politics.
At a time of disinformation, the Vice President appealed to the public to ask for receipts from candidates who are making certain claims.
“‘Pag sinabi nilang aalagaan nila yung sektor niyo, at lahat ng kandidato sasabihin aalagaan ang sektor niyo, tignan natin ano ba yung resibo niya (When they tell you that they will take care of your sector, and every candidate will do that, look for receipts),” she said.
“Noong nakaraan, papano niya ba pinakita? Papaano niya pinakita na mahal niya 'yung sektor (Before the elections, how did they show their care for your sector? How did they show their love for the sector)?” she added.
Not easy but also not afraid
Meanwhile, Vice President Robredo admitted that her quest for the presidency is not a walk in the park but she said that there is nothing to be afraid of.
“Hindi tayo dapat matakot. Hindi tayo dapat kabahan (We shouldn’t be afraid. We shouldn’t get nervous),” she said.
She claimed that there is now a stark difference when it comes to the public’s reception of her campaign.
“Ibang-iba yung nakikita kong reception ng tao ngayon noong sinabi ko na gisingin natin yung natutulog na lakas (The people’s reception now is very different from when I said taht we should wake up the sleeping forces),” Robredo said.
“Ang dami nag-respond even– even sa sector ninyo (Many responded, even from the PWD sector),” she added.
Robredo expressed her appreciation to the PWD sector which always has its representative in the different areas that she visits.
“Sa mga pinupuntahan namin na mga lugar, parating represented ang PWD sector (The PWD sector is always represented wherever we go),” she said.
“Gustong sabihin, hindi nagiging sagabal yung kapansanan para maka-ambag, para makatulong sa kampanya (It’s as if you’re saying that your disability is not a hindrance for you to contribute to the campaign),” she added.