Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo has turned to religious and lay groups to help her fight rampant disinformation and elevate the discourse on the 2022 polls.
Speaking before Catholic leaders at the Cathedral-Shrine and Parish of the Good Shepherd in Quezon City, Robredo said she hoped they will be her “able partner” to change the brand of politics and governance.
“Pag sinabi ko pong help, hindi natatapos 'yung help sa kampanya, pero ang help po sa kampanya (When I said help, the help doesn’t end during the campaign, but the help for the campaign) is only a vehicle pero mas malaking help ang kailangan namin sa inyo pag kami nakaupo na (but we need bigger help once we assume office),” she said in her message.
“Sana maging able partner kayo ng pamahalaan para ayusin na natin (I hope you’ll be an able partner of the government in order to fix) once and for all 'yung klase ng pamahala at politika na namamayani sa bayan natin (kind of governance and politics prevailing in our country),” she added.
Since declaring her candidacy in October last year, the Vice President has been meeting with bishops and members of the clergy during her visits to rural areas across the country.
Robredo is banking on the support of priests, nun, and laymen to help her convey the message to the people.
“Siguro po 'yung (Maybe the) second part of my pakiusap (plea) is a call to action. We have 70 days to go. That is a short time to convert people, pero (but) good enough given the kind of volunteers, supporters that we have,” she said.
The presidential aspirant called on her supporters not to argue with supporters of other candidates because of the differences in their opinions.
“Yung disinformation grabe, wag po natin aawayin 'yung mga naniniwala sa fake news. Kasi paminsan, hindi naman nila kasalanan dahil 'yung access din po nila sa information ay 'yung masyadong limited (The disinformation is too much, let us not fight those who believe in fake news. Because sometimes, they are not at fault as their access to information is too limited),” Robredo appealed.
“Pagtulungan na lang po natin na mabuksan 'yung kanilang mga mata (Let us help open their eyes) to discern kung ano 'yung totoo, alin 'yung kasinungalingan (what is true and what are lies),” she added.
Robredo, a contender in this year’s presidential race, reminded her audience what is really at stake in the upcoming May polls.
She lamented that patronage politics is still a systemic ill in the society caused by the people feeling indebted to government officials who helped them with basic needs.
“And this has to change. Hangga’t hindi po natin napapalitan 'yung (Until we haven’t changed) patronage politics, we will be getting the same kind of public servants that we have been getting,” Robredo said.
The Vice President added that her supporters and volunteers have a deeper understanding of what they are fighting for in May.
One of her most active supporters are the Doctors for Leni, many of whom are voting for the first time.
“They never saw any need to participate in the past, but now they’re voting because they are aware of what is at stake. And I am sure, marami sa inyo dito, hindi naman (many of you here who are not) active during the past elections, pero are deciding not to just stay in the sidelines and wait,” she said.
The cathedral was filled with Robredo’s supporters from the lay organizations and the religious community.
After delivering her message, priests, nuns, and laymen at the cathedral prayed over and blessed the presidential aspirant.