Former vice president Leni Robredo, who spoke during the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Batch 2022’s graduation rites, encouraged the law graduates to continue fighting for a just and humane society, and not to lose the will to fight for what is right.
While she believes that historical distortion and lies will end, she also called on the law graduates to be there in the “battlefield” so that the “war for justice, for dignity, for truth, inclusiveness, and solidarity be ultimately won.”
“Kailangan laging naroon tayo para pumalag laban sa kahit na anong kasamaan (We need to be always present to fight against evil),” Robredo, who is now the chairperson of Angat Buhay NGO told the graduates on Tuesday, Aug. 2.
“Kaya ang pangalawa kong paniniwala, lilipas lang ito kung hindi tayo susuko. Kung patuloy nating igigiit ang tama at makatwiran sa bawat sandali (That’s why my second belief is that this will only pass if we will not give up. If we will continue to insist what’s right and just every time),” she added.
The former vice president stressed that law graduates should not lose their voice and get tired of standing up for the truth.
READ: Robredo to continue fight vs disinformation after leaving office
She shared that as a lawyer at the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN), her concept of the law is one that does not discriminate between the rich and the poor, and that it mirrors the advocacy, beliefs and collective stand of what is right and wrong in society.
“Kaya nga ang batas ang huling takbuhan, ang huling silungan, lalo na ng mga naaapi at nasa laylayan (That is why the law is the last stand, the last shelter, especially of the downtrodden and those in the fringes of society),” she said, adding that the law symbolizes the collective dreams of the nation.
And while the law graduates will each have their own paths to take, Robredo reminded them that being a good lawyer is not just about one’s mastery of jurisprudence. Albeit, it is about living true to the principles of the profession.
“Buong buo ang tiwala ko sa utak at sa puso, sa tapang at talino ng mga taga UP. Alam kong lalo pang titibay ang loob ninyo, lalo pang lalakas ang tinig. Lalo pa kayong titindig sa mga darating na panahon (I wholeheartedly trust the mind and the heart, the courage and excellence of those from UP. I know that you will be stronger, your voice will be louder. You will stand up more in the coming days),” she said.
“TInitiyak ko sa inyong lahat, marami kayo, marami tayo. Napakarami nating magkakasama sa laban na ito (I assure you all, you are many, we are many. We are so many in this fight).”
Robredo ended her speech with a huge round of applause from the audience who chanted “Ang Presidente Leni Robredo, Bise Presidente Kiko Pangilinan. Sa Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat,” the campaign chant of Robredo and her running mate, former Senator Kiko Pangilinan during the 2022 elections.