Former vice president Leni Robredo reminded graduates of the Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, Aug. 27, that true liberation and democracy lie in them being one with the poor and joining the people in “solidarity and unity.”

She was awarded the honorary doctorate degree in philosophy and economics by the Ateneo, where students gave her a standing ovation upon introduction.

During the audio-visual presentation of her work as vice president and the “spirit of volunteerism” she ignited during the campaign for the presidency, the Ateneo cited her “unparalleled contributions as a leader of our people” and her defense of the poor, the rule of law, and the democratic principles “even in the most hostile environments.”

Robredo, in her speech, mentioned a popular lecture in Ateneo by Dr. Bobby Guevara about the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt by the prophet Moses, who was then questioned by the Israelites when they were about to be recaptured by the Egyptians before the parting of the Red Sea.

“Malakas ang kutob ko na hindi siya nagtampo. Hindi niya inisip na bakit ba ganon sila, hindi pa kayang maunawaan ng kababayan nya, na ang tungkulin niya, hindi lang ang itawid, higit sa pagdadala sa lupang ipinangako, tungkulin niya na samahan sila sa takot, pangamba, pagdurusa kung kinakailangan (I have a feeling that he did not sulk. He did not question why they are like that, that his fellowmen did not understand yet, that he felt his goal was, aside from getting them to the promised land, his mission was to be with them in their fears, concerns, and suffering, if needed),” she said.

In fact, the former vice president and now chairperson of Angat Buhay added that Moses would have joined his people in slavery if they decided to go back to Egypt.

“Walang ibang landas tungo sa kalayaan kundi ang tunay na solidarya at pakikiisa (There is no other way toward freedom but true solidarity and unity),” Robredo stressed.

While they are not prophets like Moses, she reminded them that the only way to truly understand the suffering of the people and show them true justice and democracy is to be with them.

“Lalo tayo nagpapakatao kapag ang pasakit na pinagdadaanan ng iba nararamdaman natin bilang sariling pasakit (We are more humane if we can feel the suffering of others),” she said.

“Ito ‘yung katotohanan na ang paglilingkod ay hindi lang tulong o biyaya na inaabot mula sa posisyon ng kapangyarihan. Panawagan ito para tingnan ang kapwa bilang kapantay (This is the truth that serving is not just help or blessing that should come from a position of power. This is a call to look at others as your equal),” she added.

Robredo stressed that she’s confident the Ateneo graduates will answer the call for solidarity and unity as they join the real world and work together for the country’s development.

Despite losing in the May 2022 national polls, the former vice president showed that she is ready to work with the Marcos administration, even meeting with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo this week to discuss ways on how her Angat Buhay Foundation, which could prove to be the largest volunteer-driven non-government organization in the country, could help in the agency’s development work.