Citing the tandem’s clear and realistic platform, over 10,000 alumni and students from 16 De La Salle schools on Saturday, April 9, declared their full support for the presidential bid of Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo and her running mate Sen. Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan.

“They have a clear and realistic platform and are in the best position to offer real solutions to critical issues on education, unemployment, human rights, the drug war, the West Philippine Sea, resilience and climate change, health, and the pandemic,” their statement of support for the Leni-Kiko tandem read.

“They have regained hope in many of us that we can have a government that follows the spirit and the letter of the Philippine Constitution and our laws,” it added.

The alumni and students of De La Salle schools also noted that both Robredo and Pangilinan have “proven themselves to be committee public servants” by working with grassroots communities, making them understand the problem of society.

“Team Leni-Kiko has generated a courageous army of organic volunteers giving rise to an authentic people's campaign and local people's councils,” they said.

“Guided by the spirit of faith, zeal for service, and communion in mission, we vow our full support for the candidacy of Leni Robredo as President and Kiko Pangilinan as Vice-President.”

Before deciding, students and alumni said they have used the recommended eight-point test to discern the righteous leaders the country needs during these difficult times:

• Does the candidate have a track record of support for human rights?

• Does the candidate work for social conditions that benefit all Filipinos?

• Does the candidate have a track record of aiding and empowering the poor and disadvantaged to build better lives?

• Does the candidate engage government, civil society, and business to pursue the common good?

• Does the candidate present viable ways of ensuring a more equitable distribution of wealth? Is he or she responsible and transparent in the use of government funds?

• Does the candidate take pains to ensure that citizens have access to truthful and reliable information on issues affecting the common good? Does he or she engage with media institutions to promote journalistic integrity and accountability?

• Does the candidate promote sustainable development for the good of future generations of Filipinos?

• Does this person's track record in public service reflect his or her words?